SEATTLE – The Coast Guard pulled a Fort Lewis Army Sergeant from the waters of Puget Sound last night after discovering him drifting approximately one half mile from Port Orchard.
Members of Marine Safety and Security Team 91101, based here, noticed the soldier floating in his lifejacket while on a routine patrol at approximately 6:08 p.m. He reported he was thrown from his kayak when it was swamped by a wave. He had been in the water approximately one hour before being found. The kayak could not be located and is presumed to have sunk.
The sergeant was treated for hypothermia and the Coast Guard notified the Kitsap County Sheriff to arrange for a transfer of the patient to an awaiting ambulance at the Bremerton ferry dock. He was then transported to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton.
Wearing a lifejacket greatly improves a person’s chances of survival in the event of an accident on the water and being spotted by rescuers.
