The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting local authorities in the search for a 47-year-old man who went missing Monday morning off the coast of Newport Beach, California. Wesley MacFarland was reported missing near Newport Harbor at approximately 7:45 a.m.
The Coast Guard confirmed its involvement, requesting that anyone with information regarding MacFarland's whereabouts contact the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach Command Center.
This incident occurs amidst a period of heightened ocean safety concerns in Southern California. In early June, a mother and her two children were swept into the ocean in Laguna Beach. While the mother and her seven-year-old son were rescued, her five-year-old child died at Treasure Island Beach, approximately 10 miles south of Newport Harbor.
Southern California beaches have been under ocean warnings throughout June. The city of Newport Beach had previously advised residents in mid-June to prepare for a series of high king tides expected from June 13 through June 16, noting that evening high tides could cause localized flooding in low-lying harborfront neighborhoods.
Separately, lifeguards in San Diego reported conducting over 385 rescues in approximately one week during June.