Boater refuses rescue after running boat aground in Half Moon Bay

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. -- A stranded boater turned down a rescue Friday night after running the boat aground south of Half Moon Bay, according to the United States Coast Guard.

The incident was reported at 11:22 p.m. Friday roughly 7 miles south of Pillar Point Marina, according to USCG spokeswoman Lt. Leigh Van Lear.

USCG personnel recommended that the boater leave the vessel, but it was determined that there was no immediate danger and the boater refused to be rescued, according to Van Lear.

The USCG sent a helicopter as well as a land-based incident management team, Van Lear said.

In response to the incident the United States Coast Guard opened the oil spill liability trust fund as a precaution, to cover the costs associated with cleanup if the vessel's fuel leaks into the water.