“It is never an easy task to respond to, and assist with, a call such as this.  While emergency responders are trained to search, rescue, and recover, these calls can have an emotional impact and take a toll on them.  Our thoughts are with them and the victim’s family.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

MONTEREY COUNTY – On May 16, 2026, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, along with personnel from CAL FIRE and California State Parks, responded to a report of a man floating in the water near rocks in the area of China Vista Point along the Big Sur coastline.

At about 1:00 p.m., a tourist contacted emergency dispatchers after seeing the man floating in the ocean near the shoreline rocks. Lifeguards and emergency personnel from CAL FIRE and California State Parks were able to recover the individual from the water and bring him to shore. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team responded to assist with the difficult recovery operation and safely transported the decedent from the rocky shoreline area to the roadway above.

The decedent has been identified as Alberto Hernandez, age 25 of Marina. According to family and friends, he was reported to be fishing off the rocks in the area where he was found.