VIDEO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues man aboard dinghy near San Mateo Bridge

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/27/2017 01:37 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Oct. 27, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Pacific Southwest
Contact: 11th District Public Affairs
Office: (510) 437-3325
After Hours: (510) 772-8865

Coast Guard rescues man aboard dinghy near San Mateo Bridge

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco aircrew hoists a a man whose 10-foot dinghy was disabled south of the San Mateo Bridge, Calif., Oct. 26, 2017. The crew helped the man into a rescue basket and hoisted him onto the helicopter to transport him to Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco with no reported injuries.

SAN FRANCISCO — A Coast Guard aircrew rescued a man whose 10-foot dinghy was disabled south of the San Mateo Bridge, Thursday night. 

California Highway Patrol dispatchers contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders around 9:45 p.m., to relay a report from the man's son stating that his father was stranded on a disabled boat near the San Mateo Bridge. 

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco launched in response and located the man, who was flashing his cell phone flash light in distress. 

Foster City and Hayward Fire Department rescue boat crews also responded but could not reach the man due to the low tide.

The Dolphin crew helped the man into a rescue basket and hoisted him into the helicopter to transport him to Air Station San Francisco.

The man had no reported injuries. 

The rescue crew included Lt. Sam Hafensteiner, pilot; Lt. j.g. Paul Kraft, co-pilot; Petty Officer 3rd Class Mike Duran, an avionics electrical technician; and Petty Officer 3rd Class Devon Merchant, rescue swimmer. The rescue was Hafensteiner's first rescue as an aircraft commander and Duran's first rescue. 

-USCG-