Six people are safe on dry land Wednesday after their 61-foot fishing vessel sank off Catalina Island.
A distress call from the Midnight Star was received around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, said U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Trent Kelly.
"There were six mariners on board when the ship sank," Kelly said.
Four people left the boat in a skiff. Two others went into the water but were picked up by the skiff. A nearby boat, the San Pedro Pride, then took all six to safety.
The Midnight Star sank in 90 feet of water near Eagle Rock on the northwestern end of the island, according to the Coast Guard.
A Coast Guard helicopter flew over the scene Wednesday morning and detected what was believed to be a small fuel spill but it was expected to dissipate later in the afternoon. The Coast Guard cutter Narwahl was also at the scene.
"They will search for debris from the ship and respond to any environmental threat the ship may present," Kelly said.
There was no immediate word on what may have caused the ship to sink, he said.
A Marine Response Team and the California Department of Fish and Game were heading to the area to investigate.
"We're just thankful nobody was hurt," Kelly said.
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