Coast Guard searching for possible missing kayaker off Santa Cruz coast

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Coast Guard searching for possible missing kayaker off Santa Cruz coast

By Jennifer Squires

[email protected]
Posted: 03/02/2010 01:22:57 PM PST
Updated: 03/02/2010 01:50:15 PM PST

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LIVE OAK — The U.S. Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol, State Parks lifeguards and firefighters are searching for a possible missing kayaker after rescue crews pulled an empty kayak out of the surf near Pleasure Point this morning, according to emergency radio traffic.

However, it's unclear if there is a person missing at sea or if the kayak broke free from a tether and floated unmanned into the ocean.

Emergency dispatchers got a 911 call around 10:18 a.m. reporting a kayaker in distress at the end of 36th Avenue. Crews from Central and Aptos fire districts responded and found an empty kayak, but no victim. Rescuers searched the coastal area but were still unable to locate the kayaker, according to emergency radio traffic.

Around 11:45 a.m., a Coast Guard helicopter started searching in a grid pattern over the water. A Harbor Patrol boat also is in the area.

The National Weather Service issued a small craft advisory for the region around 3 a.m. because forecasted wind speeds of 21-33 knots were expected to produce wave conditions hazardous to small boats.

The advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Wednesday.