SAN FRANCISCO - The Coast Guard responded to 38 recreational boating cases over the long Labor Day weekend.

All total, the Coast Guard assisted 17 disabled vessels, responded to six cases involving people in the water, conducted 12 other search and rescue cases and completed three law enforcement boardings that resulted in major citations.    

Among those cases, Friday, Sept. 4, the Coast Guard rescued an adult male stranded on Brooks Island after his vessel capsized just off of Brooks Island, Calif.  A 41-foot rescue boat from Station San Francisco and an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station San Francisco launched to the scene.  With the assistance of a good samaritan, the helicopter crew spotted the man who had become stranded. Due to navigational hazards the rescue boat was unable to get close enough to assist the stranded boater. Therefore a rescue swimmer from the helicopter was deployed and the sailor was hoisted to safety.  No injuries were reported.

Saturday, Sept. 5, the Coast Guard rescued five persons in the water after their 12-foot aluminum boat capsized near Timber Cove, Calif.  A 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Bodega Bay launched to the scene after receiving the report from the Sonoma County Sheriffs.  Once on scene, crew-members worked with local Sonoma lifeguards to rescue the boaters who were not wearing personal floatation devices.  No injuries were reported. 

Sunday,  Sept. 6, the Coast Guard completed a boarding of a 34-foot sailing vessel on Lake Tahoe that resulted in the confiscation of 0.5 ounces of cocaine and 2 grams of hashish.  While on a routine patrol, a 25-foot response boat from Station Lake Tahoe located the 34-foot vessel adrift with no navigation lights energized.  The response boat completed the safety boarding of the vessel and took it in tow to Camp Richardson, Calif. where local authorities from El Dorado County Sheriffs took the vessel's captain and another passenger into custody.  

The Coast Guard reminds boaters to properly maintain and inspect their vessels prior to heading out onto the water.  Personal flotation devices, an emergency indicating radio beacon, flares, an operable VHF radio, and plenty of food and water should be on board each vessel prior to getting underway.  Lastly, it is against the law for anyone to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol and consumption of alcohol by anyone else on board is strongly discouraged.

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