Fishing Boat Catches Fire Near Popular Santa Cruz Point Break (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 7:33 PM ET

Even on micro days, Santa Cruz’s Pleasure Point is a busy scene. Longboarders, SUPs, otters, kids, and seniors can all be found at the popular right point in the middle of town. But Wednesday morning was a different kind of hectic when a 48-foot fishing boat from Monterey called The Navigator caught fire outside the lineup, according to multiple reports.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lookout Santa Cruz (@lookoutsantacruz)

According to Lookout Santa Cruz, which interviewed the two men aboard, engineer Edward Arellano and Capt. Richard McCann, the fire started when a generator malfunction caused the insulation to erupt. Personnel from the Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the incident, which was engulfed in flames by 8 a.m.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dave "Nelly" Nelson (@nellysmagicmoments)

It’s a tough blow for 82-year-old McCann, a fishing veteran of almost 60 years, who was prepared to retire from commercial fishing this year, according to Lookout. The news outlet also reported that one member of the harbor patrol staff had to go to the hospital to be treated for smoke exposure. The Navigator sadly sank before it could be towed

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: