VIDEO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues kite surfer in San Pablo Bay

News Release

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

Coast Guard rescues kite surfer in San Pablo Bay

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SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard rescued a kite surfer after he became stranded in San Pablo Bay, Tuesday. 

A bystander on shore called 911 dispatchers, who contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders at approximately 10:30 a.m., reporting the kite surfer had been observed struggling off Pinole Shores Park for two hours, appearing unable to make it back to shore. 

Sector San Francisco launched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Vallejo 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew to the scene to assist the kite surfer. 

The boat crew could not reach the kite surfer due to the shallow depth of the water. 

The helicopter crew lowered the rescue swimmer to assist the kite surfer, then hoisted them both back into the helicopter. The rescue crew then transferred the kite surfer to shore. 

There were no injuries reported. 

“Any time you’re heading out on the water, whether you’re kite surfing, kayaking, or boating, we strongly urge you to have a marine VHF radio on you at all times,” said Cmdr. Emma Silcox, Sector San Francisco's search-and-rescue mission coordinator. “They are more effective than cell phones when you need to reach the Coast Guard during an emergency.”

-USCG-