NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — On Saturday, July 17, Captain Devin Onesti of Vessel Assist Newport Beach, an on-the-water boat towing and recovery service, was aboard his 25-foot response vessel anchored just outside the "swim-only" markers at Big Corona Beach, adjacent to the Newport Beach, Calif., harbor jetty. Onesti, 28, typically positions the boat in this location to be better able to quickly respond to boaters' requests for assistance in the area. Onesti's job as a Vessel Assist Captain is to tow disabled boats back to port, deliver fuel, jump start dead batteries, and occasionally, save a boat from sinking.

On this afternoon, a group of five teens swam out from the beach beyond the designated swimming area and asked Onesti if they could rest by hanging onto the boat's gunwales after the long swim. Onesti gave them permission.

After a short rest and polite discussion, four of the teens departed for shore. The fifth, a young female, asked to rest a while longer as the swim was farther than she had anticipated. Onesti offered the teen as much time as she needed and offered to bring her back to shore, but she declined and departed a few minutes later for the beach.

Onesti watched her swim for approximately 20 feet. "I knew she wasn't going to make it," he said. "She started to scream and thrash her arms wildly at the water."

Grabbing a floating cushion, Onesti dove into the ocean and safely brought the teen, who was in severe pain from stomach and leg cramps, aboard his boat. Attempts to visually signal lifeguards failed, so Onesti, a former lifeguard with emergency care training, treated the teen with electrolytic fluids, covered her with a solar blanket and placed a heat pack on her abdomen.

Onesti then raised Newport Beach Harbor Patrol on VHF radio, which responded to the scene. The teen was later transported via paddleboard with a lifeguard's assistance back to the beach.

"On the water everyday, I often see how people get very close to getting in big trouble," said Onesti. "I'm just glad I was there."