U.S. Coast Guard aircrew rescues boater near Sooke, British Columbia

united states coast guard 

News Release  

July 15, 2018
U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Pacific Northwest
Contact: 13th District Public Affairs
Office: (206) 220-7237
After Hours: (206) 251-3237
13th District online newsroom

U.S. Coast  Guard aircrew rescues boater near Sooke, British Columbia

 

SEATTLE -- In a coordinated rescue effort, a Coast Guard aircrew assisted in the rescue of an unconscious boater aboard a sailing vessel near Sooke, British Columbia, Sunday afternoon. 

The aircrew medically evacuated the boater and transported her to Victoria, British Columbia, where Emergency Medical Service personnel were waiting to provide further care.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Command Center personnel received a call from the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) in Victoria, reporting a distress call on Channel 16 VHF.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was already in the air and diverted to assist.

Working with the RCC, Sector Puget Sound personnel helped the aircrew locate the vessel by utilizing the Rescue 21 Distress System, an advanced maritime command, control and direction-finding communications system for the United States Coast Guard. 

The rescue swimmer was lowered into the water and with the help of a Good Samaritan, tended to the injured boater aboard the Good Sam’s boat.

A boater remained with the sailing vessel and had the Good Samaritan tow the boat back to Victoria, where he met with EMS on shore.

Canadian officials are currently investigating the cause of the incident.

 

-USCG-