The fishing community in San Diego was shaken recently when the well-known sportfishing boat Jig Strike suddenly sank during an outing. Known for its reliability and loyal customers, the fishing boat Jig Strike sinks story is a rare reminder that even the most experienced crews and trusted vessels can face danger on the open sea.
Here’s what happened—and why the safety of every soul aboard mattered more than the vessel itself.
The Day Everything Changed
It was the morning of August 31, 2024. The Jig Strike, a 56-foot sportfishing boat based out of H&M Landing in Point Loma, was more than 100 miles off the coast near Cortes Bank, a remote underwater seamount. Captain Patrick Dorety and his crew were conducting a routine fishing excursion with 17 people onboard.
Then, in a matter of moments, everything changed.
At approximately 10:35 a.m., the boat struck an object beneath the water’s surface. According to Captain Dorety, it was something floating just under the waves—completely unseen, completely unavoidable.
The impact was severe. It hit the portside bow and caused the structure to fail. Water poured into the vessel rapidly. The Jig Strike was sinking fast.
A Captain’s Calm Under Pressure
Captain Dorety’s experience and calm thinking saved lives that day. Despite the shock of the collision, he immediately grabbed the radio and sent out a mayday call. At the same time, his crew acted fast—mustering passengers to the stern, distributing life jackets, and deploying the life raft.
“All passengers were off the boat in under five minutes,” the captain shared on social media. “As fast as everything happened, everyone is safe and uninjured.”
While the United States Coast Guard did launch a rescue helicopter, it wasn’t needed. Fortunately, another boat—the Legend, also out of H&M Landing—was nearby and answered the distress call.
The Rescue at Sea
The Legend reached the site quickly. It pulled all 17 passengers and crew members from the life raft and brought them safely back to shore. Passengers, though shaken, were unharmed and deeply grateful.
Legend’s Captain Steve Taft expressed his feelings about the incident with both pride and sorrow.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of the M/V Jig Strike today,” he said, “but also very proud of the crew for carrying out their training under pressure and safely evacuating all passengers.”
The Jig Strike, as he noted, was more than just a boat. It had a long family history. For him, it was personal—it was where he had worked his first summer with his father, catching albacore. While the loss was painful, his focus was where it needed to be: on the lives saved.
A Strong Safety Culture
Stories from former passengers speak to how the Jig Strike always put safety first.
David and Teresa Wilmore, a couple who had fished on the boat in the past, weren’t surprised the crew responded so well.
“They tell you where all the life stuff’s at before going out—everything you need to know in case something goes wrong,” said David.
Fellow angler Muhammed Qazi echoed those thoughts. “They go over the safety protocols at the very beginning,” he said. “It’s second nature to them. When you need them to act, they just do it.”
Thanks to that strong safety culture and the coordination between boats, no lives were lost. In a moment when panic could have taken over, discipline, training, and leadership saved the day.
What Caused the Sinking?
While the exact object the Jig Strike collided with remains unknown, underwater hazards like floating debris, containers, or marine wreckage can pose real threats—especially out at sea where visibility below the surface is limited.
This accident is a reminder of how unpredictable the ocean can be. Even with modern technology and skilled seafarers, nature—and hidden dangers—can strike when least expected.
What Is Cortes Bank?
The location of the accident, Cortes Bank, is known to seasoned fishers and surfers alike. Located about 96 miles southwest of San Pedro and roughly 111 miles west of Point Loma, this shallow seamount rises dramatically from the ocean floor.
It’s a popular but remote fishing spot, famous for tuna, yellowtail, and big game species. But it’s also known for rough waters, shifting tides, and submerged hazards—adding risk to any trip that ventures so far offshore.
The Fishing Community Responds
The sinking of the Jig Strike has created a wave of reaction among San Diego’s tight-knit fishing community. Sadness, yes—but also pride.
There’s pride in knowing that boats like the Legend are out there, ready to help.
Pride in knowing that captains and crews train not just for catching fish, but for protecting lives.
And pride in knowing that when the unthinkable happens, this community pulls together.
As Teresa Wilmore said: “It wouldn’t have mattered if it was an H&M boat or another boat. When they found out something went on, they all would have pulled together.”
Moving Forward After the Jig Strike Sinks
So where do we go from here?
For many who fished aboard the Jig Strike, the memories of the boat will live on. Some had their best catches on her deck. Some made lifelong friends. Some taught their kids how to fish on that boat.
Though she now lies beneath the waves, the Jig Strike will be remembered—not for her sinking, but for her service, her crew, and the safe return of all who sailed with her.
And perhaps that’s what truly matters.
Final Thoughts
The headline “fishing boat Jig Strike sinks” might seem tragic at first glance. And in some ways, it is. A vessel was lost. An era ended.
But there’s another way to see it: as a success story. Seventeen people made it home. Thanks to training, teamwork, and fast thinking, this story didn’t become a tragedy.
It became a testimony—to the strength of the fishing community, to the importance of preparation, and to the courage of those who work the waters every day.
