VIDEO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues overdue kayaker near Bodega 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 overdue kayaker near Bodega Bay

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SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard rescued a kayaker off the coast of Bodega Bay, Sunday.

A Sonoma County park ranger notified Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay watchstanders of a kayaker that was overdue at approximately 1:00 p.m. Sunday.

A Station Bodega Bay 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew launched and located an overturned kayak near Estero Americano at approximately 1:20 p.m. However, the kayaker was not in sight.

With assistance from the Sonoma County Sheriff's helicopter, Henry 1, the boat crew located the kayaker four minutes later and brought him aboard the Coast Guard boat. 

The man was reportedly displaying signs of shock and was transferred to Station Bodega Bay to awaiting emergency medical services personnel.

The kayaker was reportedly wearing a dry suit and life jacket.

"Wearing a dry suit, a life jacket and filing a float plan, enabled our crew to rapidly locate the stranded kayaker," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Jeremiah Wolf, the officer in charge of Station Bodega Bay. "His dry suit had begun to leak and if he had not filed a float plan, letting someone know where he was going and when he planned to return, the outcome of this case could have been very different. Boaters and paddlers should always dress for water temperatures, have a reliable means of communication such as a marine VHF radio and always wear a life jacket when on the water."  

-USCG-