24-foot Special Purpose Craft – Shallow Water file photo. (U.S. Coast Guard file photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Jones)
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard rescued an overdue kayaker Sunday near Port Isabel, Texas.
Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi command center watchstanders received notification at 8:41 p.m. Saturday that the wife of an overdue kayaker had called Coast Guard Station South Padre Island stating she had lost sight of her husband at the Port Isabel Fingers. She reported that he was on a lime green kayak without a life jacket.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of a Station South Padre Island 24-foot Special Purpose Craft–Shallow Water boat crew and a Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
At 1:30 a.m., the boat crew located the overdue kayaker in the water, pulled him out of the water and safely transported him to Port Isabel, where his wife was waiting. He stated his kayak had capsized and that he was not in need of medical attention.
“This case demonstrated the importance of telling someone your intentions while out on the water and sticking to your plan,” said Lt. Alexis Williams, command duty officer at Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi. “We are fortunate and grateful we were able to return this individual home safely.”
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