Newport Beach : Three People Rescued After Boat Burns
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A Newport Beach couple and a friend, who abandoned a 48-foot fishing boat that caught fire 20 miles off San Clemente Island, were rescued a few hours later, authorities reported Friday.
Owners of the boat, Fred Peterman, and his wife, whose name was not known by authorities, and a friend, Robert Platman of Marina del Rey, were found in a rubber raft they launched after the fire started Thursday afternoon aboard the boat called the Runaway. The fire-damaged boat sank.
The Petermans and Platman were picked up by another boat and later taken to Avalon on Catalina Island by Los Angeles County lifeguards, according to lifeguard Lt. Paul McIlroy. Also rescued was a dog.
Coast Guard spokesman Dan Dewell said the fire was reported about 3 p.m. as the boat was about 20 miles northeast of San Clemente Island. San Clemente Island is about 20 miles northwest of San Diego.
Dewell said a Coast Guard jet was dispatched to the scene, but was recalled after the three were reported safe aboard the other vessel.
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