A pair of kayakers in California were adrift and taking on water for hours before they were able to call for help, highlighting the importance of radios, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a phone call at around 11:17 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, from two people who reported their 14-foot kayak had overturned about a half-mile off Arch Rock near Anacapa Island, about 10 miles off the mainland.
They had been adrift and taking on water for approximately four hours, and although they were wearing wetsuits and life jackets, they did not have a radio on board.
The Coast Guard issued an urgent marine information broadcast to alert mariners in the area, and launched crews from Coast Guard Air Station Ventura and Coast Guard Station Channel Islands.
A Jayhawk helicopter aircrew spotted the kayakers at around midnight and hoisted both to safety. They were flown to Oxnard Airport and transferred to Ventura County emergency medical services in stable condition.
The kayak and the kayakers’ belongings were recovered by TowBoatUS Ventura.
“This case highlights the importance of carrying multiple reliable means of communication while on the water,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Caprioli, search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. “Thankfully the kayakers’ were in cellphone range which allowed them to reach the Coast Guard. However, we strongly urge all mariners to have a signaling device and VHF-FM marine radio when on the water to communicate with the Coast Guard or nearby mariners because this safety gear can make a critical difference during an emergency.”
The Coast Guard advises paddlers and boaters to dress for water temperature and wear lifejackets, which the kayakers did. While a marine radio can call for help in an emergency, the Coast Guard also advises carrying signaling devices such as a whistle, mirror, flashlight or personal locator beacon to help rescuers locate people in the water or in dark conditions.
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