HOUSTON – The Coast Guard rescued a man who was stranded and clinging to a piling after he waded too far from shore while fishing near Rollover Pass, Texas, Monday.
A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received the initial report from the Galveston County Sheriff Department. The dispatcher said the man’s head would occasionally dip below the water as he tried to hang on.
Search and rescue coordinators at the Sector dispatched a Coast Guard MH65-C Dolphin rescue helicopter from Air Station Houston, which arrived at the scene just after 2 p.m.
A rescue swimmer was lowered into the water to try and free the fisherman, who had become tangled in fishing line while he clung to the piling.
He was hoisted into the helicopter and transported to University of Texas Medical Branch.
“This is what we go to swimmer school to do, so it’s always fun to be able to get in the water for a rescue,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Brad Pigage, the rescue swimmer who aided the fisherman.
The man was not treated for any injuries.
The video was shot by Galveston County Pct. 7 Constable William Comeaux.
