This past Sunday eight people and a dog had to be rescued after their boat capsized. Looking at the boat, it’s hardly surprising it had trouble: That’s not much boat for that many bodies. They can thank good Samaritan Sean Meek (and of course the US Coast Guard) for their timely rescue. It’s worth listening to Meek’s calm voice in the recordings of the radio calls with the Coast Guard. Links at the end of this USCG press release. –KH
A 12-foot skiff carrying eight people and a dog that capsized near Bainbridge Island, Wash., sits at Eagle Harbor Marina after being dewatered and towed by a 45-foot Response Boat — Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle, Aug. 31, 2014. The eight passengers were discovered in the water by a good Samaritan and transferred by the RB-M crew to the marina where they were treated by EMS for mild hypothermia. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Quinten Allen)
SEATTLE — The Coast Guard reminds boaters to make smart decisions while operating in the Pacific Northwest following the rescue of eight people from an overloaded vessel that capsized near Bainbridge Island over the Labor Day weekend.
“Between the overloading of the vessel, the lack of lifejackets and a water temperature of less than 60 degrees, they are lucky to be alive,” said Daniel Shipman, director of boating safety for the Coast Guard 13th District. “It doesn’t matter how strong a swimmer you are; the shock of cold water immersion can instantly impair your motor function. A lifejacket may be the only ting keeping you afloat.”
A Coast Guard Station Seattle 45-foot Response Boat — Medium crew and good Samaritan rescued seven adults, one child and a dog after their 12-foot skiff capsized in Eagle Harbor, Sunday.
Reportedly only the child was wearing a lifejacket and all eight people were in the water for at least 20 minutes prior to discovery by the good Samaritan. All the passengers were treated by EMS for mild hypothermia.
View the original press release about the rescue here: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2233162/
Click on the text below to hear and download audio clips of the good Samaritan’s mayday call:
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Seven adults, a 4-year-old child and a dog were in the water for more than 20 minutes after their 12-foot skiff capsized before Meek and his daughter, Grace, heard their cries for help. U.S. Coast Guard audio courtesy of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. |
A 45-foot Response Boat — Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle transferred the eight people and their dog to shore where they were treated by EMS for mild hypothermia. U.S. Coast Guard audio courtesy of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. |
Officials believe the overloading of a 12-foot skiff contributed to the eight people and a dog being thrown from the vessel after it capsized around sunset. U.S. Coast Guard audio courtesy of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. |
