Coast Guard rescues 2 kayakers near San Juan Islands in Washington

News Release

July 14, 2018 U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest Contact: 13th District Public Affairs Office: (206) 220-7237 After Hours: (206) 391-5864 13th District online newsroom

Coast Guard rescues 2 kayakers near San Juan Islands in Washington

SEATTLE -- A Coast Guard Station Bellingham boat crew rescued two kayakers from the water near the San Juan Islands, Saturday evening.

The boat crew arrived in their 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, located and recovered the kayakers and then transferred them to a Bellingham Fire and Rescue Boat crew, where an Emergency Medical Technician began the initial treatment for hypothermia.

The fire and rescue boat crew transferred the kayakers to awaiting Emergency Medical Service personnel at Gooseberry Point.

Initially, a Whatcom County Sheriff deputy received a 911 call from a third kayaker, stating his friends’ kayaks had capsized and that they fell into the water and drifted north of Clark Island.

The third kayaker had made it to shore on Clark Island when he placed the 911 call and was later recovered by the fire and rescue boat crew.

The deputy contacted Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Command Center watchstanders at approximately 6 p.m. and relayed the information.

The kayakers were both wearing life jackets at the time of the rescue and no serious injuries were reported.

-USCG-