DATE: February 24, 2008 2:01:00 PM PST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Coast Guard Responds to a Report of a Surfer in Distress
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District 11 Public Affairs
Alameda, Calif.
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Press Release
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Date: Feb. 24, 2008
Contact: (510) 772-8865
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The Coast Guard Responds to a Report of a Surfer in Distress
SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Coast Guard responded to a report of a surfer in distress off of Point San Pedro at 10:09 a.m. today.
An Auxiliary mobile unit, two 47-foot motor lifeboats from Station Golden Gate, and a HH-65 helicopter, from Air Station San Francisco were dispatched to respond to the surfer in distress.
Once the HH-65 helicopter arrived on scene at 11:05 a.m., and was hovering over the surfer, the surfer signaled to the helicopter crew that he was not in distress and all units were stood down.
The National Weather Service is predicting large westerly swells that are expected to reach wave heights of 24 to 28 feet. The Coast Guard highly recommends that people avoid water activities throughout the weekend. Heavy surf and rough seas can create rip currents and dangerous situations for all water activities. If caught in a rip current, stay calm and swim parallel to the shore to release yourself from the current and to conserve valuable energy.
The Coast Guard also urges boaters to avoid going out during the storm. In preparation for boating activities, ensure you have the proper signaling equipment, a VHF radio, personal flotation devices and an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) on board. An EPIRB can be activated when in distress and provides an accurate position of your location to the US Coast Guard and other response agencies.
If you are in distress, immediately contact the Coast Guard on Channel 16 via a marine band VHF radio.
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