LITTLE, David Brent

LITTLE, David Brent (1952-1984)[547-84-2124], Oregon-born fisherman who died when his fishing vessel, Sara Jane, capsized in heavy seas. He was 32 years old.

In the News~

December 15, 1984]: “Foul weather claims fisherman; friend survives two days adrift. A 33-year-old San Diego man died after his boat capsized Wednesday in heavy seas, but his Mexican fishing companion was rescued Friday after being adrift in a life raft for two days, Coast Guard officials said. The body of David Brent Little, the captain of the 48-foot fishing boat Sara Jane, is expected to arrive in Los Angeles today on the patrol boat Point Camden, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Jim Stinson said. Jose Bailou, of Acapulco, Mexico, wearing jeans and wrapped in a green military blanket, was weary but in good condition as he stepped from a helicopter at the Coast Guard Air Station at Lindburgh Field Friday after a trip from San Nicolas Island. After questioning for more than an hour by Coast Guard officials, the 33-year-old Bailou emerged with his friend John Hixson, who said that Bailou needs rest from his exhausting ordeal. 'He has been in a boat drifting for two days,' Hixson said. 'The boat turned over starboard in bad weather. We were near San Nicolas Island. Asked how he occupied his time in theraft, Bailou replied that there was 'no time to think...only the real moment. Well. I hoped (for some little help.' He said that Little was 'real sick between 6 and 7 (Thursday night). 'I had to wait until the middle of the day (for help.) I feel real tired. I need a rest,' Bailou said. Before leaving with Hixson, Bailou said he planned to visit Little's wife and wanted to see his own children. Stinson, who talked with Bailou about the accident, said that Bailou and Little had been on the boat since Monday, but that they ran into difficulty on Wednesday because of bad weather. The two men were preparing dinner Wednesday night when strong winds and high waves capsized the boat, Stinson said. Bailou had trouble getting out because the galley door was blocked by the door from the fish hole — a compartment on a ship where fish are stored. Little escaped through a window, Stinson said. The men had no problem getting into the life raft, but it apparently turned over about five times the first night and twice the second, Stinson said. Three Coast Guard aircraft searched for the men for two days. The men were spotted in the life raft about 2:15 Friday by a Navy helicopter from Point Mugu, which was participating in a 6,000-square-mile search coordinated by the Coast Guard. Bailou was flown by helicopter first to a hospital on San Nicolas Island, west of Santa Catalina, and then to San Diego. The crew of another fishing vessel, the Linda Rose, was also in the area of the raft and removed Little's body after the helicopter rescued Bailou. The cause of Little's death has yet to be determined.”