Audio available: Two kayakers rescued serve as reminder of safety during National Safe Boating Week

News Release

May 22, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest Contact: 13th District Public Affairs Office: (206) 220-7237 After Hours: (206) 251-3237

Two kayakers rescued in chilly Puget Sound waters 

Editors' Note: Click on image to download audio.

SEATTLE —Two kayakers wearing life jackets overturned their vessels during the weekend initiating search and rescue efforts by Coast Guard along with local response agencies.

One kayaker was rescued by a good Samaritan in the vicinity of Port Gamble Bay Saturday; the other kayaker was rescued by Jefferson County Fire Department after calling mayday near Port Townsend Sunday.

A common misconception is that boating accidents occur during bad weather, when in fact one half of recreational boating fatalities happen on calm water. Nine out of 10 drownings happen on inland waters and a few hundred feet from shore.

All boats – including canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards – must have at least one properly fitted, serviceable, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on the boat.

These two incidents coincide with National Boating Safety Week, an annual campaign which emphasizes the importance of safe boating habits in reducing accidents and fatalities. This campaign is especially applicable to residents of Washington State which ranks fourth in the nation for recreational boating fatalities involving small boats, according to 2015 data from the National Safe Boating Council. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-USCG-