49 year-old Matthew Runte of Walnut Creek died on November 27, 2009, when his sailboat capsized off the coast of Half Moon Bay.  His sailboat capsized in rough waters just south of Pillar Point.

After the sailboat capsized, Coast Guard officials reported that a flare was spotted at sea.  Personnel from Pillar Point Harbor patrol, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Half Moon Bay Fire Department assisted in the recovery.

Runte’s shipmate was rescued shortly after the flare was spotted.  Neither Runte or his shipmate were wearing life jackets or immersion suits.

It should be remembered that all mariners and sailors should be prepared for an emergency, particularly during high surf.  High surf and rough conditions can challenge even the most experienced sailor.

Our good wishes and thoughts go out to Runte’s friends and family and we wish them the best at this time of loss.

If you or a loved one has ever died or been injured in a Half Moon Bay boating accident, contact San Francisco boating accident lawyer Ross Jurewitz and the California sailing accident lawyers of the Jurewitz Law Group at (888) 233-5020. You may also contact one of the best California personal injury attorneys online here for a free consultation.

For a free copy of our helpful California injury book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case, contact our office.  It is a free benefit for California injury accident victims.