
Police continue to investigate the deaths of two men — a father and son — who drowned March 28 when a 26-foot sailboat capsized between Harbor Island and Shelter Island, said Marguerite Elicone, a spokeswoman for the Port of San Diego. The identities of Jun Chen, 48, and his father, Chao, 73, were released by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. “They were part of a family of seven on board that boat with additional people,” Elicone said. In total, 10 people were aboard the boat when it capsized, Elicone said. Harbor police received a call shortly after 5 p.m. that Sunday and were on the scene within minutes. With the help of a few good Samaritans nearby, rescuers were able to pull all of the boat’s occupants onto the docks and administer first aid. Several victims were taken to nearby UCSD Medical Center. One woman reportedly drove herself to the hospital for treatment, Elicone said. The group was part of a nonprofit organization that charters sailing trips for children and families of people with developmental disabilities. Two children were injured in the accident and released that night. Investigators with the Harbor Police are expected to deliver their report to the District Attorney’s Office if they suspect anything illegal, Elicone said. There are many theories about the cause of the boat’s capsizing, including whether the boat, Nessie, had too many people on it for the choppy, windy conditions that day, Elicone said. However, nothing will be clear until investigators finish their probe, she said. A report may or may not conclude foul play or illegal activity, she said. The sailboat was reportedly owned by a nonprofit company based in Indiana but the boat was driven down from Orange County and was not docked long-term at any local marinas, Elicone said.








