Rescue boat capsizes off Ocean Beach

Fire Department officials said seven firefighters were thrown into the Pacific Ocean Saturday morning when their rescue boat capsized off the shores of San Francisco.

At 11:15 a.m., Rescue Boat 1 capsized just off Ocean Beach below Ft. Miley, fire department spokesman Jonathan Baxter said.

The firefighters were conducting a training exercise to enhance their skills to rescue people in the same area.

Good Samaritans in fishing boats rescued two firefighters. Two others were able to swim ashore and rescuers with the fire department helped the remaining three, Baxter said.

Four firefighters were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to Baxter. One firefighter will remain overnight for observation. The person is in stable condition.

The boat has been anchored until fire officials determine the best way to recover it. Baxter could not say how much the boat is worth.

Fire officials are not sure what caused the boat to capsize. The ocean was calm when the exercise started but quickly changed, according to Baxter.

Fire officials have asked for an independent investigation into the incident and will be conducting their own.

Rescue Boat 1 is stationed just off Marina Green.

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted with the rescue, according to USCG spokeswoman Lt. Leigh Van Lear.