PORT TOWNSEND — Three kayakers were cold and wet but otherwise fine after being rescued from the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca by an 11-year-old Port Angeles boy who happened to sailing nearby.
The three people were in two kayaks about a quarter-mile offshore of Fort Worden on Wednesday afternoon, said East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Chuck Boggs.
When the two-person kayak tipped over, the third kayaker tried to help them and also fell into the water, Boggs said.
Garrett Swordmaker said he was out for the day sailing solo in his 12-foot aluminum outboard when he saw people next to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center yelling and pointing at the water.
“Then I saw the kayak tipped over and people in the water. I just rushed out there and they grabbed onto the boat and I pulled them to shore,” he said.
Treated and released
Boggs said it was over by the time the rescue crew and paramedics arrived. The three people were treated at the scene and released, he said.
“They were fine, just cold. Then we retrieved the kayaks,” Boggs said.
Garrett is the son of Joe Swordmaker of Port Angeles and Elizabeth Whittaker of Port Townsend. He will be entering Roosevelt Middle School in the fall.
