Archive image: A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65E Dolphin helicopter aircrew conducts cliff hoisting evolutions in Pacifica, California.
U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Hunter Schnabel.
SANTA CRUZ, California. — The Coast Guard suspended the search Sunday morning for two possible missing surfers reported in distress near the Santa Cruz lighthouse Friday evening, pending further developments. February 8, 2026.
The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies searched more than 90 nautical miles for 10.5 combined hours before suspending at approximately 8 a.m.
Background:
At approximately 6:30 p.m., Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received a report from two Good Samaritans who observed two surfers in the water yelling for help approximately 200 yards from the lighthouse.
The Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchtanders launched a Coast Guard Station Monterey 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew and a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew to conduct the search and rescue (SAR) mission.
Weather conditions on scene include air temperatures near 54 degrees and seas of 7 to 9-foot swells.
Search finished:
“The decision to suspend a search weighs heavily on all crews involved,” said Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Zapawa, search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. “That decision is based on careful evaluation of all available information, including extensive search efforts, environmental conditions, and survivability assessments.”
No reports of missing surfers were received by local authorities or through social media outreach. Anyone with information regarding the possible missing surfers is asked to please contact the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco command center at 415-399-7399.
The Coast Guard Station Monterey boatcrew, and the Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65E Dolphin aircrew responded to the initial report of two surfers in distress yelling for help approximately 200 yards offshore near the Santa Cruz Lighthouse. The Coast Guard Cutter Alder crew arrived on scene at approximately 1 a.m. to continue search efforts, while Station Monterey boatcrew and Air Station San Francisco MH-65E Dolphin SRR Helicopter rescue aircrew returned to base.
First responders from the Santa Cruz fire department, Santa Cruz Dispatch, and Civil Air Patrol also assisted in the search.
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