Captain Involved In Malibu Boat Rescue Speaks

MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — A captain involved in the rescue of three adults and one child aboard a 40-foot boat off Malibu spoke out Sunday.

Captain Ron Briggs of the research vessel Pacific Storm says he and his crew were headed to Paradise Cove to anchor up for the evening when they heard a mayday just after 7 p.m. Saturday.

Following the mayday, Briggs says they located the boat, which was approximately a mile away, with smoke protruding. They arrived on scene before the Coast Guard could.

"The people on the Dukella did everything right. They [put out their] mayday. They got in their life raft and it ended up being a good ending to what could have been a tragic story," he told KNX1070's Bob Brill.

Briggs said he and his crew stayed with the vessel until lifeguards arrived. He said those on the boat were very thankful.

"They were very thankful that somebody was there that quick to get them and that everything worked out the way it did. You could tell they were a bit shell-shocked by what had happened and understandably so," he said.

The Dukella sank within about 20 minutes.

The cause of the fire is not known.

RELATED STORY: 4 People Rescued After Boat Catches Fire Off Malibu