2 Separate Rescues Of Kayakers Made Over Easter Weekend

MARIN COUNTY, CA –California Highway Patrol units, along with several other area agencies, made two separate rescues of kayakers in distress over the Easter weekend in Marin County.

On Saturday at about 8:20 pm, two 21-year-old kayakers called 911 after their kayak capsized near the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge, leaving the pair stranded in the water, according to the CHP's Golden Gate Division Air Operations.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched a helicopter, while the San Rafael, Tiburon, Southern Marin and Kentfield fire departments sent boats and deployed crews to the shore. At approximately 9:20 p.m., CHP Helicopter H-30 joined the night search, the agency said.

About an hour later, the CHP H-30 located the two kayakers in the San Francisco Bay waters by using the helicopter's FLIR camera system. (See video below.)

The kayakers were spotted "frantically attempting to make it to shore" roughly one-quarter mile off the Tiburon shore – and approximately 2.5 miles from where they initially made the 911 call, the CHP said.

The CHP chopper crew directed the USCG helicopter and the Tiburon fire boat to the kayakers' location, where the two were rescued and transported to shore, officials said.

"Both of the 21-year-olds were wearing life jackets which saved their lives," the CHP added. "Without them, it would have been difficult to stay afloat for over two hours."

Also on Saturday, in the morning, the CHP H-30 was patrolling over Tomales Bay when crews received from the Marin County Fire Department a report of missing kayakers, the agency said.

The CHP's H-30 landed on the beach next to some of the kayakers and were told a group of 15 set out in the bay with five becoming separated. Four from the party were located, and Sonoma County Sheriff's Henry One helicopter joined the search for the fifth, who also was found and eventually reunited with the group, the CHP said.

Winds of 25-30 knots caused the kayakers to become separated, officials said.

The CHP issued this reminder to outdoor enthusiasts: "Please bring a cellphone with you when enjoying the outdoors, so you have communication in the event you need help."

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