“A group of crew members has been rescued (one with minor injuries) and efforts continue to evacuate the remaining passengers,” the Coast Guard tweeted.
“The vessel was reported as being on fire,” it said.
It said it had deployed “multiple rescue assets along with assets from local agencies” to assist those still trapped on the 75-foot (22-meter) boat, near Santa Cruz Island off the coast from Los Angeles.
The crew members rescued amount to five individuals whereas the remaining 34 passengers remain unaccounted for. The boat was reportedly engulfed in flames. Santa Cruz Island is located approximately 20 kilometres from the California coast.
