Scorched hills on Santa Rosa Island. Photo: Channel Islands Park Foundation//Facebook
The sailor who wrecked on Santa Rosa Island — and then possibly scorched it — has a history of botched sailing trips. Just a week before he wrecked on Santa Rosa Island, the 67-year-old man had also wrecked on neighboring Santa Cruz Island, requiring rescue on both occasions.
According to an article in the Santa Barbara Independent, the vessel, Wet Vette, became trapped on the shoreline of Santa Cruz Island near Prisoner’s Harbor on May 6. The Coast Guard responded and called a towing company to take the stranded boat to Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.
The boat had engine failure and lacked proper safety equipment, the Coast Guard said. While the troubled boat was docked, Ventura County Harbor Patrol Sergeant Christopher Collins reported that a good Samaritan gave the Wet Vette safety gear.
A week later, the boat set sail for the Channel Islands again, this time wrecking on Santa Rosa Island on May 14. The sailor set off flares that are suspected to have sparked the blaze that tore through more than 18,000 acres of the island, putting endangered flora and fauna at risk. The sailor was rescued by helicopter the following day, and the fire was contained two weeks later.
As per the title, the boat belongs to James Edward Whittaker, but it’s unclear if he is the sailor who stranded the boat twice.
President of the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, Skip Abed, told the Santa Barbara Independent that managing that type of sailboat alone is complicated.
“I would prefer to have a second crew member on board,” Abed said. “In order to have (anchor) tension, you need to have the boat in gear, but you can’t have the boat in gear and be away from the helm.”
