A view of the distressed vessel, Uncontrollable Urge, taken from a rescue helicopter. (Image Credit: U.S. Coast Guard)

One person was killed and five were injured after a sailboat named Uncontrollable Urge lost steering and broke apart in the surf during a race near San Clemente Island in Southern California.

A mayday call was issued by crew on board the 30-foot sail boat around 9:26 p.m. Friday after the boat's rudder failed, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard.

"The crew initially stated they were not in need of assistance and declined assistance from both the Coast Guard and other boaters involved in the race. The sailors requested assistance from a commercial salvage company, however they were unable to launch due to weather conditions," the release said.

An attempt to anchor the boat around 11 p.m. failed, the Coast Guard said, and the boat drifted closer to San Clemente Island.

When the boat entered the crashing surf, the sailors were forced to abandon the vessel.

A helicopter crew rescued the six sailors, however one was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the Coast Guard.

The deceased sailor, whose name has not been released, was a member of the Silver Gate Yacht Club in San Diego, commodore Carey Storm told The Associated Press.

"This is a tragedy for the families and our club is mourning for the loss of life," Storm said.