Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 helicopter file photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart
SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard and partner agencies rescued a 66-year-old man who was missing for greater than 20 hours near Grizzly Bay, Sunday.
A man called Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders at 4 p.m. Sunday stating that his friend had not returned from jet skiing Saturday.
Watchstanders contacted Fairfield Police Department to check the missing individuals residence, and were able to confirm the man had not returned.
Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Vallejo 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew to search with Solano County Sheriff and Suisun City Police Department personnel.
A Solano County Sheriff marine unit located the missing man around 10:55 p.m. Sunday, hunkered down and stranded in a cabin in Grizzly Bay with mild hypothermic symptoms.
Due to the depth of the water, the Solano County Sheriff marine unit was unable to reach the man. The Dolphin crew hoisted the man and transported him to Northern Bay Medical Center in Fairfield.
The man was reported to be in stable condition.
“The importance of having appropriate communication cannot be overstated with this rescue, especially considering the length of time this individual was exposed to the elements,” said Lt. Eddie Kunigonis, a Sector San Francisco search and rescue mission coordinator. “It can be easy to become disoriented on the water, especially in the Delta at night. Retaining a waterproof marine radio or cell phone, in addition to a personal flotation device, will help provide first responders with information necessary to locate mariners in distress.”
