ALAMEDA, Calif., — The region's current hot temperatures and warmer water conditions have brought an increase in activity on the water and a corresponding increase in incidents the Coast Guard has responded to.
Friday, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay watchstanders received a request for assistance by a disabled vessel outside the Bodega Bay entrance. The vessel, a 12-foot recreational boat with two individuals aboard, was being pushed by a current toward the jetty rocks. Station Bodega Bay launched a boatcrew, who arrived on scene and was able to safely tow the disabled vessel to Spud Point.
At 6:01 p.m., Sector San Francisco Command Center was notified by an operator of Dreaming II of an engine casualty onboard and were taking on water in the vicinity of Point Bonita. Coast Guard Station Golden Gate's crew launched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew to provide assistance; however, prior to their arrival, Dreaming II began to sink, which reportedly caused the two people aboard the boat to jump into the water.
A nearby commercial fishing vessel transiting the area responded and pulled the two people from the water. The owner of the Dreaming II contracted with Vessel Assist to salvage the 25-foot recreational vessel. Station Golden Gate's boatcrew stayed on scene to direct other boaters around the partially submerged vessel and monitor the salvage operation. No pollution was reported. The distressed boat was towed to Gas House Cove, and the two people were delivered to Pier 45 by the good Samaritan.
"The good Samaritans who assisted pulling the individuals aboard the Dreaming II from the water demonstrate the value in maintaining a proper lookout, to include monitoring radios, while boating," said Capt. Michael Day, deputy commander, Sector San Francisco.
At 7:49 p.m., Sector San Francisco Command Center watchstanders received report of a disabled personal watercraft by the an operator of a sailing vessel in the Oakland Estuary. A Coast Guard Station San Francisco crew and Oakland Fire Department personnel launched boatcrews to assist after the sailing vessel operator was unable to assist due to water depth. Oakland Fire Marine 1 arrived on scene and determined that in addition to the watercraft being disabled, one of the two had a fractured leg.
Oakland Fire Marine 1 transported both individuals to Jack London Square for medical evaluation and were transported to Highland Hospital. Station San Francisco crewmembers towed the disabled personal watercraft to Jack London Square. The cause of the fractured leg is unknown at this time.
The Coast Guard advises boaters to wear appropriate clothing and a life jacket when on the water. Though the air temperatures are hot, the average water temperature is still cold enough to quickly incapacitate individuals if they enter the water.
The Coast Guard also advises all boaters to ensure they have properly operating VHF-FM radios onboard at all times and monitor channel 16 for safety advisories and requests for assistance.