Dog Presumed Drowned in Tomales Bay Boating Accident Found Alive on Beach

MARIN COUNTY, CA – A dog that was aboard a boat that capsized Monday in Tomales Bay, killing a man on board, was found alive today by Marin County firefighters.

Two battalion chiefs were scouting locations for a firefighters' water rescue orientation around 11:30 a.m. today when they encountered "Yoda" hunkered down under a rock outcropping.

“They were hugging the coastline when they saw the dog hunkered down under a rocky outcropping,” said Battalion Chief Bret McTigue. “They went on shore and put a lifejacket on her. She was wet and shivering after a few days out in the elements.”

The yellow Labrador retriever named after the Star Wars Jedi master had been on board a 13-foot Boston Whaler that capsized in rough surf at the mouth of Tomales Bay around noon Monday.

Brian Phidat Ho, 47, of San Jose died. Ho's fishing partner and another dog survived but Yoda was missing and presumed drowned.

Battalion Chiefs Chris Martinelli and Graham Groneman were in a boat a quarter-mile north of Dillon Beach when they spotted a pale yellow object on the rocky beach.

Survived, she did. Yoda was wet and shivering, had no apparent injuries and she matched the description of the missing dog.

She was brought to the Tomales Fire Station to warm up by a fireplace and be fed. The Marin Humane Society checked her out before releasing her to a family member.

“We called the family and we happened to reach them during the funeral,” McTigue said. “We gave them the update and they were able to make the announcement about the dog at the funeral, which was nice.”

Marin County Fire Battalion Chief Bret McTigue said the family was at Ho's funeral when they were informed Yoda was alive.

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--Bay City News contributed to this report/Images via Marin County Fire Department