Boat Drifts Ashore After Collision With Whale Off Pescadero Coast

SAN MATEO (KCBS) – A collision between a whale and a boat off Pescadero on Saturday disabled the craft's engine causing it to drift ashore; its passengers were able to escape, a sheriff's official said.

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Deputy Rebecca Rosenblatt told KCBS that strong waves pushed the disabled pleasure boat towards the rocky shoreline so the five passengers onboard were able bail out and climb onto the rocks.

"The sheriff's office received some calls from individuals that said that they had been out on a boat about 10 to 15 miles off the coast Pebble Beach, over in Pescadero, and their boat had collided with a whale," she said.

Rosenblatt said the boat was headed from Monterey to Half Moon Bay when the collision occurred.

There were no injuries reported.

Though the whale was not seen again, Rosenblatt said it was "believed to be OK" and that such incidents in the area are rare.