Good Samaritans Assist Kayakers in Distress

HOUSTON — The crew of a fishing boat returned two kayakers to safety Friday, after strong, northern winds pushed them out to sea off High Island, Texas.

One of the distressed kayakers contacted Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders at approximately 11:30 a.m., with a VHF handheld radio, stating that strong winds prevented them from returning to shore.

The watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and diverted an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter and crew from Air Station Houston to assist.

The crew of the World Freedom, a fishing boat in the vicinity of the kayakers, responded to the UMIB, brought the kayakers aboard and transported them close enough to shore for them to safely make it in.

“In this particular case, what’s really important to outline is the fact that things can go wrong,” said Lt. Brian Seekatz, one of the pilots aboard the helicopter. “These kayakers found themselves in a situation with uncommon, strong, northern winds, where they could not paddle back to shore. The fact that they had a radio on their kayak to call the Coast Guard saved their lives, without expending our resources and personnel.”

All mariners are encouraged to invest in a VHF-FM marine-band radio as their primary means of communication on the water. VHF-FM marine-band radios are far more reliable than cells phones in the marine environment. VHF-FM Channel 16, the international hailing and distress channel, is monitored by the Coast Guard and state marine patrols around the clock. In addition, all mariners in the vicinity will hear distress calls broadcast over VHF-FM Channel 16. Urgent safety information and weather reports for boaters are also broadcast over marine band radio channels.

To learn more about safe boating practices, visit the Coast Guard Boating Safety Resource Center at USCGboating.org.

Capsized Kayaker Near Bumpkin Island

Coast Guard rescues capsized kayaker near Bumpkin Island, Mass.

BOSTON — Coast Guard rescue crews saved a man at approximately 3:09 p.m. after his kayak capsized near Bumpkin Island, Mass., April 7th, 2013.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Boston received notification from the man's sister via a telephone call at 2:48 p.m. and immediately launched a Station Point Allerton 47-foot Motor Life Boat to assist.

The station's rescue crew successfully rescued the man, who was wearing PFD, and transferred him to local EMS.

"He was treated at the hospital for hypothermia," said Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer M. Picerne, a watchstander at Sector Boston. "He had no other injuries and is listed in stable condition."

Family Rescued While Kayaking Near Maui

HONOLULU — A group of kayakers was rescued by the Coast Guard when weather took a turn for the worst approximately three miles off the coast of Wailea, Maui, Saturday.

Coast Guard Station Maui was notified by a vessel operator in the area that four kayakers, one adult and three children, were being blown toward the open sea by approximately 25mph winds. Sea conditions worsened to swells of three to four feet.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Maui was conducting training in the area and diverted to the scene. All four kayakers and their kayaks were picked up and taken to shore at 2 p.m. The kayakers were wearing life jackets and uninjured.

The Coast Guard advises all mariners to check weather conditions prior to getting underway. Weather conditions in Hawaii can change rapidly and can include high wind, breaking surf and extreme currents. Individuals unfamiliar with the area are encouraged to speak with lifeguards before entering unfamiliar water in order to become familiar with local weather and ocean hazards.

Mariners are also urged to file a float plan with a responsible friend, family member or harbor master. A float plan should include the projected course, time of departure, arrival and return which will provide responders with vital information in the case of an emergency.

More information on float plans can be found at the following link: http://www.floatplancentral.org/

Coast Guards Rescues Two Kayakers Stranded Near Galveston

A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium and rescue crew from Station Galveston locate two stranded teenagers with their kayaks tied onto an oil rig seven miles south of Galveston, March 12, 2013. The kayakers contacted watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston with their cell phone after paddling too far offshore. (Official Coast Guard photo by Station Galveston)

Coast Guards rescues two kayakers stranded near Galveston



HOUSTON — A Coast Guard rescue boatcrew saved two kayakers that were stranded south of Galveston, Tuesday.

The kayakers contacted watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston with their cell phone after tying their kayaks to an oil rig seven miles south of Galveston at 11:20 a.m., Tuesday. Watchstanders diverted a Station Galveston 45-foot Response Boat-Medium and rescue crew at 11:45 a.m.

The rescue crew arrived on scene at 12:05 p.m. and transferred both kayakers aboard the rescue boat. They were taken to Station Galveston and were released to their awaiting mother.



"These young men were lucky enough to have a cell phone with them and after they contacted us, we were able to get their GPS location and send our boatcrew out to rescue them," said Elvie Damaso, a watchstander at Sector Houston-Galveston. "The Coast Guard would like remind mariners to always have the proper equipment with them before going out in open water. That gear could help save your life."

Coast Guard boatcrew members from Station Galveston help a stranded kayaker climb aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium seven miles south of Galveston, March 12, 2013. The kayakers contacted watchstanders at Sector Houston-Galveston with their cell phone after paddling too far offshore. (Official Coast Guard photo by Station Galveston)