Jeddah, Saudi Arabia— A coastal boating incident left two passengers drowned off the Red Sea coast Wednesday afternoon, prompting a coast guard search and renewed warnings about small-boat safety.
Coast Guard Bureau said the incident occurred at 3:40 p.m. eight nautical miles west of Jeddah Islamic Port. A 7-meter fiberglass boat with four people aboard was returning from a fishing trip. Waves reached 1.5 meters. The boat took water over the stern.
The engine failed. The boat then capsized. Two men wearing life jackets clung to the hull and were rescued by a passing cargo dhow. Two others, a 38-year-old man and his 12-year-old son, were not wearing jackets and disappeared.
Coast Guard rescue boats and a helicopter were dispatched at 4:05 p.m. after a distress call from the dhow. Search teams covered six square nautical miles. Divers found the father's body at 6:30 p.m. near the capsized hull. The boy's body was found at 7:15 p.m. 300 meters away.
Colonel Khalid Al-Shehri said the boat was licensed but overloaded and lacked sufficient life jackets. He said weather had been forecast as moderate to rough since morning. He said the captain ignored advice to stay inshore.
The two survivors were taken to Jeddah Coast Guard base and treated for hypothermia and shock. They told investigators the boat began listing after a large wave hit from behind. They said they shouted for help for 20 minutes before the dhow arrived.
The capsized boat was towed to Jeddah port for inspection. Maritime inspectors found a cracked transom and a faulty bilge pump. The vessel's license expired in September.
The victims were Saudi nationals from Mecca. Families were notified Wednesday night. The bodies were taken to King Fahd Hospital for examination.
Coast Guard said it will increase patrols off Jeddah during afternoon sea breeze season and enforce life jacket rules. Prosecutors opened a case for negligent causing of death at sea. The investigation is ongoing.
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