MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. – A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria, Ore., rescued a man, woman and their pup from a sinking 58-foot sailing vessel 130 miles off the coast of Cape Mendocino in Northern California, Friday afternoon.

At approximately 4:10 a.m., Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay received a mayday call from an unknown location. After several hours of trying to re-establish communications, the Coast Guard successfully contacted two people aboard the sailing vessel Gypsy Soul, which was taking on water in 30-foot seas and 45-knot winds. 

An airborne HC-130 from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento responded and found the distressed mariners 130 miles offshore. Due to the distance offshore combined with dangerous sea conditions,  the Rescue Coordination Center in Alameda, Calif., directed a medium-range HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria in Oregon capable of operating in treacherous conditions. 

"The level of professionalism and readiness of District Thirteen, Group Humboldt Bay, Air Station Astoria and Air Station Sacramento speaks volumes about the Coast Guard's ability to work together to get the job done safely, regardless of location," said Chief Petty Officer Michael Guerrero, command duty officer, Rescue Coordination Center Alameda.

Three survivors Chuck Fleer, and Taz Kai and their puppy Sadie were safely delivered to a waiting ambulance at Air Station Humboldt Bay in McKinleyville. Fleer and Kai declined any further medical attention and were released to go home.

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Coast Guard co-ed Whaleboat rowing team competes during the Coast Guard Whaleboat Challenge held in the Alameda-Oakland estuary April 30, 2011. Twenty-one teams rowed approximately two miles circling Coast Guard Island in Alameda. The Coast Guard men’s team won first place, the women’s and co-ed teams took third. The Coast Guard men’s team remained undefeated since fall 2010. USCG video by Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Coast Guard Men's Whaleboat rowing team competes during the Coast Guard Whaleboat Challenge held in the Alameda-Oakland estuary April 30, 2011. Twenty-one teams rowed approximately two miles circling Coast Guard Island in Alameda. The Coast Guard men’s team won first place, the women’s and co-ed teams took third. The Coast Guard men’s team remained undefeated since fall 2010. USCG photo by Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster

Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class Manns, 510-772-8865

Dodging power lines, Coast Guard airlifts man stranded on Redwood Creek

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. – While steering clear of power lines, a Coast Guard helicopter airlifted a man stranded on a small island in Redwood Creek near Orick, Calif., last night.

The 45 year-old boater, made it to the island after his boat capsized.  He yelled for help after making it to the island and his shouts were heard by people nearby a local RV park. 

The Orick Fire Department and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office both responded and found the man standing on a small island in the middle of Redwood Creek.  He started a small camp fire to stay warm and dry his wet clothes. Due to the strong current flowing through the creek swelled by recent storms, the first responders determined an airlift would be the safest and fastest way to rescue the man. At 11 p.m., a Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin helicopter launched from Air Station Humboldt Bay.

“One key to the safe rescue of this boater was the fact that the sheriff on the ground in Orick notified the flight crew of power lines crossing Redwood Creek directly over the island," said Lt. Todd Vorenkamp, the pilot on the helicopter. "Had we not known about those power lines before arriving overhead they would have posed a much greater danger to the helicopter and flight crew.” 

A sheriff deputy used a marine band radio to communicate directly with the helicopter crew and, once the helicopter was staged on scene, he had the man walk to the north end of the island away from the power lines. 

“Being able to talk directly to the sheriff was important to the overall success and safety of the rescue mission,” said the copilot, Lt.j.g. Brent Hardgrave. 

The helicopter arrived on scene and lowered its rescue basket to the man and hoisted him to safety.  Due to the presence and proximity of the power lines, Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Linder, the aircraft’s flight mechanic prepared to perform the hoisting evolution while using his night vision goggles, and was able to keep tail of the aircraft clear of the wires.  The aircraft then returned to the Coast Guard Air Station at Arcata Airport and delivered the man to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

The Coast Guard recommends that all Lost Coast residents and visitors use extreme caution when recreating and working on the inland waterways of Northern California.  Winter and spring runoff, high water levels and frigid water temperatures combine to make the rivers and streams in the area extremely hazardous.  Also, all those spending time on or near the water should wear personal floatation devices and be equipped with emergency signaling devices and a marine band VHF radio to contact the Coast Guard or other emergency services.

SAN FRANCISCO – Given the increase of reports of near misses in the San Francisco Bay, the Coast Guard is reminding mariners of the hazards and subsequent violations of not following the Navigation Rules of the Road.

 A sudden increase of near misses has been reported to the Coast Guard within the San Francisco Bay Traffic Lane near the Golden Gate Bridge and Port of Oakland.  During movement of large commercial vessels within the traffic separation scheme, small crafts have impeded their transits, a violation of federal regulations and causing possible catastrophic collisions.

 Rule 9 of the International and Inland Rules of Navigation states that a vessel less than approximately 65-feet, a sailing vessel, or vessel engaged in fishing “shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.”  Rule 9 continues to state that any “vessel shall not cross a narrow passage or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway.” 

Large commercial vessels, also referred to as deep draft vessel due to their large draft compared to small recreational vessels, have the right-of-way within the traffic separation scheme in San Francisco Bay.  Transiting at speeds that are often hard to determine without proper radar, deep draft vessels cover distance much faster than it appears and may take up to a mile and a half to come to a complete stop.  Many deep draft vessels have blind spots that could extend for hundreds of feet in front of them.  A small vessel or pleasure craft may feel they’re within eyesight of the deep draft’s bridge but they not within sight at all.

 San Francisco Bay is home to thousands of recreational boats, sailors, ferries, tugs, and commercial vessels.  It’s paramount that all mariners adhere to the Navigational Rules of the Road to ensure a safe, fun, and memorable experience on San Francisco Bay.

 Please go to http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm to gain more information about Rule 9 and the Navigational Rules of the Road.

The video is a public service announcement about the importance of Rule 9:

Rule 9, Knowing the Rules of the Road, Navigating the Bay Area Waters Safely

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Coast Guard Lt.j.g. Laura Williams, Sector San Francisco public affairs officer, delivers a public service announcement about understanding the importance of U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rule 9 outlined in the Inland Navigation Rules book, Sept. 3, 2010. U.S. For more information regarding the Coast Guard Navigation Rules visit: www.navcen.uscg.gov. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Pamela J. Manns

SAN FRANCISCO - A U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew, stationed at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, along with the Pillar Point harbor master, responded to a 35' crab fishing vessel taking on water approximately 10 miles off of Pillar Point, Calif., April 2, 2010. The Dolphin aircrew rushed one person to local ambulatory services in Half Moon Bay after the crew was forced into the water, the other was rescued by the Pillar Point harbor master. U.S. Coast Guard video by U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco

Chiquita, the bomb-sniffing dog

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Petty Officer 1st Class Tony Ross, a maritime enforcement specialist and canine handler stationed at Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco, describes his dog's role in port security. Chiquita, an explosive-detection canine, is the only dog at MSST San Francisco. She patrols on the ferries and in the ports throughout the Bay Area and on the West Coast. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Pamela Manns and Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Swanson.

Editor's Note- This video is a spotlight on an important member of the Coast Guard's team. It does not reflect any new threat on coastal assets.