SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES
A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco helicopter crew rescues two stranded boaters in San Pablo Bay, Aug. 1, 2018, after their 30-foot sailing vessel ran aground west of Mare Island. The boaters were transiting the bay when their engine became disabled, causing them to drift into shallow waters.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard rescued two boaters near Mare Island in San Pablo Bay, Wednesday, after their 30-foot sailboat ran aground.
The boaters contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders around 4:30 p.m., reporting that their boat was disabled and they had run aground west of Mare Island.
A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco helicopter crew diverted to the scene. The shallow depth of the water hindered a rescue by boat.
Once on scene, the helicopter crew assessed deteriorating weather conditions and made the decision to lower the rescue swimmer to the stranded boaters. The helicopter crew hoisted the boaters into the helicopter and transported them to Napa County Airport.
The helicopter crew consisted of Lt. Adam Frye, pilot; Lt. Anders Manley, co-pilot; Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Piasecki, rescue swimmer; and Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole Fontes, flight mechanic.
“The boaters opted to call the Coast Guard early instead of potentially allowing the situation to worsen overnight,” said Frye. “This allowed us to execute the rescue during daytime under favorable conditions and get everyone home safely.”
The sailboat is anchored where it ran aground as the owner makes plans for salvage.
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