SEATTLE —The Coast Guard rescued a man after his 14-foot sailboat overturned approximately a half mile north from Tala Point, Wash., Thursday, July 30, 2009.
Coast Guard Sector Seattle received a call at 2:26 p.m. from a man reporting that his 14-foot sailboat named the “Scally Wag,” had overturned and that he was in need of immediate assistance. The man was calling from his handheld radio while in the water.
The Coast Guard diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin, homeported in Bellingham, Wash., and diverted a Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., from a patrol.
The rescue helicopter crew arrived on scene first and kept close observation on the man until the cutter Terrapin arrived.
The crew of the Terrapin was able to pull the man out of the water and help right his boat.
The man was able to take his boat back to shore and arrived at Foulweather Bluff at the north end of Kitsap Peninsila, Wash., safely at 3:41 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to ensure that they have the proper safety equipment aboard their vessels prior to getting underway. This includes life jackets, handheld radios, visual signaling devices and GPS tracking device.
