Catamaran capsizes off Mendocino - crew rescued

(07-04) 16:27 PDT Alameda -- An Alameda-bound catamaran capsized off the coast of Mendocino County, but the three crew members were saved after they activated an emergency radio beacon shortly before the boat overturned, the U.S. Coast Guard reported Sunday.

The 32-foot catamaran Catalyst was traveling from Crescent City on Saturday when winds picked up to more than 45 knots - about 52 mph - and created 20-foot waves.

The crew - two men in their 40s and a woman of unknown age - believed they were in peril and activated the beacon at around 12:44 p.m. Soon after, the boat capsized, pinning the crew underneath.

The crew was able to free themselves and clung to the hull of the boat. But because none of them wore survival suits, they began suffering hypothermia in the hour it took for the Coast Guard to arrive.

After they were picked up by helicopter, they were taken to Ukiah Valley Medical Center in Mendocino County, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Erik Swanson. They remained hospitalized Sunday with non-life-threatening injuries.

E-mail Matthai Kuruvila at mkuruvila@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page C - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle