SEATTLE — A kayaker in distress was rescued during a trip in Hood Canal between Brinnon and Seabeck.
The unidentified kayaker had capsized from his boat and climbed back in but was then exhausted and couldn’t make it to shore Wednesday, Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Levi Read said.
The kayaker was rescued by good Samaritan boaters in the area and transferred to Kitsap County Fire Department personnel on shore for evaluation.
He was not hurt, Read said.
“He didn’t need any further assistance,” Read said.
The kayaker was well-prepared, the Coast Guard said.
“He did everything right to be saved,” Read said.
The kayaker activated an electronic position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), which was heard at about 1:30 p.m. by personnel from the state Emergency Operations Center, which notified the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard watchstanders from Sector Puget Sound issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting help from local mariners in the area, directed the launch of a rescue crew from Station Seattle and diverted an aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Sector Field Office/Air Station Port Angeles.
Kitsap County Fire Department personnel were the first responders to arrive on scene and spotted the distressed kayaker lying face down over the front of the kayak, the Coast Guard said.
The good Samaritan boater arrived on scene shortly thereafter and assisted the man aboard the boat as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer prepared to deploy from the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
“We were able to arrive on scene very quickly because the personal EPIRB took the search out of search and rescue because the signal led us and our fellow responders directly to the scene,” said Lt. j.g. Jean-Pierre Spence, command duty officer at Sector Puget Sound.
“Carrying the personal EPIRB is only one of the many things this kayaker did right to save his life. He was wearing a life jacket and wetsuit, he filed a float plan so his family knew exactly where he was supposed to be and he pulled himself out of the water and into his kayak.”
