Small Plane Reportedly Crashes in the Water near Port of LA

This story was last updated at 6:57 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2016.

U.S. Coast Guard crews, lifeguards, police and fire officials search for possible survivors of a crash between two small planes that collided mid-air above San Pedro on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016.

At 3:35 a.m., a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Barbers Point arrived on scene and hoisted the two sailors to safety.

The Coast Guard took the opportunity to encourage all mariners to ensure they have the proper emergency equipment aboard prior to any departure.

Coast Guard officials said in a statement late Friday the search area had been expanded to 200 square miles.

Two separate tail identification numbers from two separate aircraft have been recovered and confirmed by the Federal Aviation Association.

Rescuers were searching for survivors.

A search involving the Coast Guard, Long Beach and Los Angeles firefighters and Los Angeles County lifeguards was underway. The closure is not affecting port operations, however, because vessels are able to enter or exit the harbor via the Queens Gate entrance, off the Long Beach shoreline.

A search is under way near Los Angeles harbor for a small plane that reportedly crashed in the ocean.