Two riders, Paul Carbullido Jr. and Donna Dubray, narrowly escaped death after a watercraft accident near Long Beach this past weekend. Following a 16-hour separation, the U.S. Coast Guard successfully located Carbullido after he drifted near the Seal Beach Pier.
A collision near the Alamitos Bay Landing breakwall
The incident began when the pair were operating personal watercraft near Rainbow Harbor as part of a larger group. As they navigated past the breakwall near Alamitos Bay Landing, Carbullido struck the wake created by Dubray's craft, causing him to fall into the ocean and lose consciousness . According to reporting from CBS L.A., Dubray attempted to assist him, but the conditions quickly became too dangerous for her to remain on the watercraft.
Faced with rising water and a drifting companion, Dubray was forced to make a desperate decision. She swam toward the breakwall to seek assistance, eventually being heard by a good Samaritan in a fishing boat. While Dubray managed to reach safety, the search for Carbullido became a race against time.
The 16-hour search and the 86-degree body temperature
The U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue crews eventually located Carbullido floating approximately three miles south of the Seal Beach Pier around 10:45 a.m. on Monday. The rescue was critical due to the extreme physical toll the ordeal had taken on him. The following details were noted during the recovery:
- Hypothermia: Carbullido's body temperature had dropped to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Duration: He had been missing for approximately 16 hours.
- Survival Gear: Carbullido credited his life vest with helping him stay afloat throughout the night.
As reported by the source, Carbullido was nearing the point of giving up when the helicopter crew arrived to pull him from the water.
The Sunday night rental and the absence of safety training
Both suurvivors have pointed to a significant lapse in safey protocols by their rental provider. The pair noted that they picked up their equipment on Sunday night, only about an hour before the company closed for the day. Crucially, both Dubray and Carbullido stated they received no formal instructions on how to operate the personal watercraft safely.
This lack of oversight highlights a broader concern regarding the recreational rental industry in coastal California. When companies prioritize quick turnarounds—such as processing rentals just before closing—the essential safety briefings that prevent accidents like wake collisions may be neglected.
The unverified details of the rental company's oversight
While the victims have been vocal about their experience, several aspects of the incident remain unconfirmed. It is currently unknown whether the rental company provided any written safety waivers or if they have internal protocols for late-night rentals.. Furthermore, the report does not include a response from the rental company itself, leaving the question of whether this was a systemic failure or an isolated accident unanswered.
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