The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a downed kite surfer near Santa Cruz, California, on Monday afternoon.
Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders received a report from a friend of a distressed kite surfer with broken equipment and was stranded near a rocky shore at approximately 4 p.m.
Sector San Francisco watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast to local mariners and dispatched a Coast Guard Station Santa Cruz 29-foot response boat crew and a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew. Local fire department and Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol also responded.
Once on scene, the boatcrews were unable to reach the distressed kite surfer due to weather conditions and proximity to rocks. The Coast Guard helicopter crew deployed a rescued swimmer, hoisted the kite surfer and transferred the surfer to awaiting shoreside emergency medical services personnel. No significant injuries were reported.
“While you are out enjoying all the recreational activities that California beaches have to offer, please remain vigilant of the ocean environment as the seas and winds can pick up,” said Lt Michael Dubinsky, the aircraft commander of the Dolphin helicopter crew. “Having a group of friends with the ability to communicate any distress to the Coast Guard or local EMS [emergency medical services], is what made this a successful mission.”
