Two Teen Kayakers Rescued in Bodega Bay

Inflatable kayak - PFDs + Big Blue = Big Trouble ...

COAST GUARD ASSISTED TWO 16-YEAR-OLD KAYAKERS OFFSHORE OF BODEGA BAY, CALIF.

SAN FRANCISCO– The U.S. Coast Guard assisted two kayakers off of Doran Beach near Bodega Bay, Calif., Saturday morning.

At approximately 9 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center received notification from a concerned citizen, who reported seeing two teenagers in an inflatable kayak. He reported that the two people paddled offshore of Doran Beach and then were no longer in sight.

An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued for local boaters to be on the lookout, and assist if needed. Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay also launched a rescue boat crew and Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco prepared to launch a rescue helicopter crew.

Bodega Bay rescue boat crew located the two kayakers and noticed they didn’t have safety equipment with them.

“We noticed the two kayakers were not wearing lifejackets and as a crew, we decided to bring them aboard the motor life boat. There was a potential risk of them capsizing in 20 knot winds and without life jackets the situation could have been detrimental,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Mcdougal, coxswain aboard the rescue boat.

Capt. Greg Stump, the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco commander said, "The sea is a very unforgiving environment, and we often see tragedies that begin with poor decisions.  Losing situational awareness while not having the proper life saving equipment can quickly escalate to a dangerous and deadly situation," he said.   

Link to the story ... http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2187610/

Glad we read it this way instead of Coast Guard recovers two bodies.

I'm glad there was a happy/safe ending.

Glad we read it this way instead of Coast Guard recovers two bodies.

No doubt, this was the best possible outcome. They're safe and hopefully their run in with the Coast Guard makes them think twice in the future.

Kudos to the bystanders on shore for recognizing the situation unfolding and alerted the CG.

as a parent  I want to "blame "  the parents ..but i also know we can teach our kids and they still wont do what we teach..I didn't  either as a teen....just glad they`re  safe

When I was a teenager 15 we would do stuff way worse in the ocean. Learned early to respect the ocean or it will take you.