Posts Tagged ‘Kayak’
Missing Kayaker Found, Cold But Safe
NEW YORK - A missing kayaker has been located near Darien, Conn., after he did not return from a trip which began at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Coast Guard Searching for Missing Kayaker near Darien
NEW YORK - A search is underway for a missing kayaker near Darien, Conn., after he did not return from a trip which began at approximately 3 p.m. today.
Coast Guard suspends search for missing Big Island kayaker
HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a kayaker last seen last Saturday near Kapa’a Beach Park on the Big Island.
Gusty weather on Saturday keeps Pacific Northwest Coast Guard busy
SEATTLE - The Coast Guard and other local maritime assets including North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Camano Fire and Rescue responded to multiple incidents in the Puget Sound area brought on by Saturday’s gusty weather.
The Coast Guard Sector Seattle Command Center received reports of boats going adrift and overturning and boaters being blown into the water by heavy winds all throughout Puget Sound.
Among the many cases Saturday:
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Adelie and an HH-60 helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, Ore., were diverted to Carr Inlet near Gig Harbor, Wash., to assist with the rescue of eight kayakers. The crew of the Adelie rescued two of the kayakers from the water while the other six were able to make it safely to shore.
An MH-65 helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., was diverted to Cultas Bay near Whidbey Island, Wash., after four people were reported to be aboard a demasted catamaran. Reponders from North Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and reported the two people had successfully righted the vessel and were safe before the helicopter crew arrived.
A catamaran near Camano Island was blown over knocking two people into the water. The Coast Guard contacted North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Camano Fire and Rescue, and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island requesting assistance with the case while its MH-65 helicopter crew returned to Port Angeles to refuel. Camano Fire and Rescue rescued the two people from the water while North Whidbey Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and righted the vessel.
Drifting vessels caused many assets to be diverted to recover the boats before they could become a danger. The Coast Guard is asking that boat owners properly anchor or secure their vessels or bring them up onto shore when they’re not in use. The Coast Guard also asks that operators of sailing craft take special care or simply don’t go out on the water due to the increased likelihood of overturning in the heavy winds.
Winds in some locations were blowing at up to 40mph. No injuries have been reported in any of Saturday’s cases.
Coast Guard Encourages “Best Safety Practices” for Kayakers, Windsurfers
SAN FRANCISCO - The Coast Guard is reminding kayakers, windsurfers, kite surfers, and all others who engage in recreational water sports to take basic precautions before heading out on the water, and to be aware of the ways they can assist the Coast Guard with search and rescue efforts.
At approximately 8:30 a.m., on Monday, September 1st, the Coast Guard received notification from a good Samaritan sailboat that there was an overturned kayak floating 2.5 nautical miles west of Point Montara. The operator of the vessel did not see any people in the water, nor was he/she they aware of how long the kayak had been overturned in the water.
Coast Guard Sector San Francisco immediately issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert vessels in the area of a possible person in the water in distress. Air Station San Francisco launched an HH-65 “Dolphin” Helicopter to begin searching in the vicinity of the kayak. Additionally, a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Golden Gate launched and began searching in the area as well, assisted by an asset from the Pillar Point Harbormaster. After completing an initial search pattern, the Motor Lifeboat crew recovered the kayak, searching for any identifying markings, and found none. In addition to conducting search patterns in the last known position of the kayak, the “Dolphin” Helicopter and Motor Lifeboat conducted searches along the shoreline from Pillar Point to Ocean Beach with negative results.
Sector San Francisco also contacted numerous kayak rental companies in the area to determine if any missing watercraft or unaccounted for persons had been reported. The search was suspended when all actions yielded no new information, and the possibility of distress had been ruled out.
In a similar situation, on August 9th, there was a report of a kite surf board floating 500 yards off Fort Mason. An HH-65 “Dolphin” Helicopter from Air Station San Francisco and a response boat from Station Golden Gate launched on the case, and were assisted in their search efforts by Coast Guard Auxiliary Mobile Unit 3 and Marin County Rescue 1. Searches in the Bay yielded no results. By interviewing by-standers, it was determined that the kite surfer had departed the water safely around the same time the board was discovered floating in the water.
Similar cases involving canoes, rowboats, and other unregistered small craft have occurred up and down the California coast.
By taking a few simple precautions, kayakers can help ensure their own safety, and help the Coast Guard avoid unnecessary search efforts. By ensuring that their name and contact information is written on or securely attached internally (and waterproofed) to the equipment, Coast Guard personnel can more easily determine if the owner is in distress, should the equipment simply be lost or stolen. In the event that recreational kayakers or surfers become separated from their equipment or board, they are highly encouraged to report it to the Coast Guard, along with a description of the equipment.
“We believe the general public may be unaware of the search effort that may result from a situation of this nature,” said Lieutenant Commander Leanne Lusk, Chief of the Command Center for Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. “If there is even a small chance that someone is in trouble, we will use all available assets to search for them, which may result in wasted man hours if the person is in no distress at all. Unnecessary searches can be prevented with a single phone call to the Coast Guard.”
Additionally, those who enjoy water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, or kite or windsurfing, should file a float plan with a responsible friend or family member shore-side. Information such as planned location of activity or intended route, approximate duration of activity and return time, and a description of equipment, should be included.
The Coast Guard highly encourages carrying a means of communication as well, such as a hand-held radio, a cell phone in a waterproof bag, and visual distress signals if possible.
To learn more about safe boating practices, and to see all required and recommended safety equipment, visit: http://www.uscgboating.org/ .
Coast Guard searching for missing kayaker
BOSTON - The Coast Guard is searching near Grand Isle, Vt., today for a man who went missing after he and a friend flipped over in their kayak at about midnight in Lake Champlain, Vt.
Neither man was wearing a lifejacket. One made it to shore, and reported to local police that his friend was missing.
After being notified by the Grand Isle, Vt., Police Department, Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, located in Portland, Maine, launched a 25-foot rescue boat crew from Station Burlington, Vt.
“We are searching with a fleet of vessels from state, local and federal agencies including Customs and Border Patrol, the Vermont State Police, Colchester Fire Department, Grand Isle Fire and Rescue, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, and a team of good Samaritans,” said Paul Conner, search and rescue specialist at Sector Northern New England.
Coast Guard searching for missing kayaker
BALTIMORE - The Coast Guard is searching Hull Creek at the mouth of the Potomac River for a missing kayaker today.
The 20-year-old man was last seen at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Rescue crews from Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes, Air Station Atlantic City N.J., along with crews from the Maryland Natural Resources Police, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and other local agencies searched throughout the night.
Station St. Inigoes and Air Station Atlantic City are continuing with a first light search.
Canoes and Kayaks Represent Over 15% Of Boating Fatalities
LOS ANGELES, Calif (AUX Public Affairs) – In a year where overall recreational boating fatalities decreased from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007 the number of fatalities associated with the use of canoes/kayaks increased to 107 in 2007 as compared with 99 in 2006. This is according to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety. This figure represents about 15.6 percent of the total of all recreational fatalities in the U.S. in 2007. Of the 107 fatalities associated with kayaking/canoeing 97 were from drowning (66 canoe/ 31 kayak.) The complete 2007 Recreational Boating Statistics are available at http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm.
A recent study by the Outdoor Industry Foundation has shown a dramatic increase in the number of Americans participating in kayaking, a 23% increase in 2005 alone. As the number of people turning to kayaking/canoeing (especially with rising fuel cost), so does the risk for kayak and canoe operators getting themselves into trouble.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the American Canoe Association offers some basic safety tips:
· Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
· Be comfortable in the water, out of your boat.
· Obtain the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for kayaking and canoeing.
· Always boat with a group. Three boats is a recommended minimum.
· Know how to self-rescue. Practice! Practice! Practice!
· File a float plan, with friends,,family, or the authorities.
· Bring appropriate safety, rescue, and navigational aids, and more than adequate food, water, and extra protective clothing. Do not wear cotton!
· Pick an activity level that matches your ability, and progress to more demanding challenges.
· Monitor your physical and emotional condition, and watch the other members or your group for fatigue, illness, and changes in behavior.
· Know and follow all local, state and federal laws.
· Be visible - wear bright colors so others can see you between waves or in the fog. Carry a bright light, flares, and whistle to signal your position.
· Take a boating safety class offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and direct law enforcement actions. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral part of the United States Coast Guard. For more information visit www.cgaux.org if you are ready to be join visit http://join.cgaux.org/ .