Coast Guard rescues Maine kayaker, credits survival to preparedness

News Release

April 30, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast Contact: 1st District Public Affairs Office: (617) 223-8515 After Hours: (617) 717-9609

Coast Guard rescues Maine kayaker, credits survival to preparedness

 

BOSTON — The Coast Guard rescued a 66-year-old man Sunday after his kayak overturned near Baileys Mistake, Maine.

The man radioed Sector Northern New England watchstanders on VHF ch. 16 at about 4:20 p.m. stating he was uncertain of his location and was unable to get back into his 17-foot kayak.

A 29-foot response boat small boat crew from Station Eastport arrived on scene and recovered the man, who was suffering mild hypothermic conditions. The crew took him to Cutler, Maine where Emergency Medical Services was waiting.

The kayaker made several good decisions that resulted in his rescue:

-       He was wearing a dry suit that thermally protected him from the 44-degree water.
-       He had a handheld marine radio, which he used to notify the Coast Guard.
-       He activated a Personal Locator Beacon, directing rescuers to his position.

"The only reason he's alive is because he prepared for the worst case scenario," said Capt. Michael Baroody, commander of Sector Northern New England.  "He didn't know exactly where he was, but the beacon did. And that dry suit significantly boosted his survival time."

U.S. Coast Guard and their partner agencies are committed to generating greater safety awareness among paddlers and small boat operators- find out more at www.uscgboating.org, and stay tuned for local events during National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26.

 

-USCG-