Photos: Harbor Patrol On the Water at Mavericks

Check out these photos from the Pillar Point Harbor Patrol, who leads the marine branch on the water and serves as the incident command post during the Mavericks surf competition. 

Scott Grindy, harbormaster for the San Mateo County Harbor District (SMCHD), sent these photos into Half Moon Bay Patch during Friday's surf competition. These images will give you an idea of what it's like to be out there on a boat during the big wave surf event.

With light fog lifting at the 8 a.m. start, surfers attacked waves estimated with faces up to 40 feet. South winds made conditions even more challenging for the surfers.

The Mavericks Invitational has their own water safety team but additional assets are needed in support of spectator safety for boats, human powered craft, and to separate the contest zone and the viewing area.

Waterside assets from the SMCHD Pillar Point Harbor Patrol include the use of water rescue vessels with fire and paramedics on board. Allied agencies include the U.S. Coast Guard with an 87-foot patrol boat and two 47-foot motor lifeboats from stations Golden Gate and Bodega Bay. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and California State Park Lifeguards also have rescue watercraft.