ALAMEDA, Calif. – A Coast Guard crew rescued two people from the water and a third from a grounded 19-foot boat after it became grounded in the mud in the Petaluma River, this afternoon.
When the boat hit the mud the owner of the vessel jumped out and attempted to free the vessel. He subsequently became stuck in the mud and then his son jumped out of the boat to help his father and was unable to free him. The daughter of the owner remained on the boat and called 911 from her cell phone. The Coast Guard was requested for assistance. All three boaters were wearing their life jackets.
A Coast Guard crew from Station Vallejo aboard a 25-foot response boat was on scene within 30 minutes. Additionally, a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station San Francisco, Sonoma County Sheriff Marine Unit, and Sonoma County Fire Helicopter Henry 1 also responded to the scene. The Station Vallejo rescue crew transported the family to Black Pointe Boat Launch were they declined emergency services.
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters not to hesitate to call the Coast Guard in times of need and does not recommend entering the water unnecessarily. Additionally, boaters are reminded to have a properly working marine band radio as cell phones have proven unreliable from sea. Boaters are recommended to have other safety equipment such as life jackets, flares, and safety whistles that can help save lives and expedite response in the event of an emergency.
