Coast Guard rescues hiker from sea cliff in Patricks Point State Park

U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Arcata Mad River Ambulance Services.

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif — The Coast Guard rescued a 22-year-old man who fell to the base of a sea cliff while hiking in Patrick's Point State Park in Trinidad, California, Thursday.

California State Parks rangers notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay of a stranded hiker near the base of a sea cliff in Patrick's Point State Park, around 6:45 p.m.

Sector Humboldt Bay launched a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay.

Once on scene, the aircrew located the hiker near the base of a cliff and lowered a rescue swimmer, who hoisted the stranded man into the helicopter.

The hiker was transferred to Arcata Mad River Ambulance Services. There were no reports of injuries.

“This case was an excellent example of the interoperability among first response agencies here in Humboldt County,” said Cmdr. Brendan Hilleary, chief of response at Sector​ Humboldt Bay.​ “I’m very thankful​ that we were able to support our state parks partners and bring this hiker safely back to his family."

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Coast Guard urges paddlecraft safety after responding to multiple cases involving kayakers in distress

A Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew searches for missing kayakers over Lake Earl in California, June 3, 2019. The kayakers' overturned kayak was found, prompting the search efforts by the Coast Guard and Del Norte County Sheriff's Office. (U.S. Coast Guard photo).

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — The Coast Guard urges paddlers to exercise caution after assisting multiple kayakers in distress this week in the vicinity of Crescent City.​

Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office personnel contacted Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders, Monday morning, requesting assistance in locating a missing kayaker on Lake Earl.​

Sheriff’s deputies informed the Coast Guard that two kayakers had departed the previous afternoon and that their kayak had overturned at some time around dusk.

A Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was launched to help search the area. One of the kayakers swam to shore, but search assets were unable to locate the second kayaker. Del Norte County Sheriff reports that person remains missing.

A good Samaritan boater called the Coast Guard Monday afternoon via VHF radio reporting a separate case in which the boater had rescued two stranded kayakers near Crescent City harbor after their kayak had overturned and flooded.​ The stranded kayakers reported that they had been floating for approximately four-to-five hours before being rescued.​

Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders coordinated with Crescent City emergency medical services personnel to assist the rescued kayakers upon arrival at the harbor. The rescued kayakers were wearing life jackets, but had no means of calling the Coast Guard for assistance.

“I would like to stress the importance of always wearing a life jacket and carrying a VHF marine-band radio when out on the water,” said Cmdr. Brendan Hilleary, the Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay operations chief. “In the event of a capsizing emergency, mariners should try to remain with their vessel because it is much easier for rescuers to locate large objects in the water.”

The Coast Guard recommends that boaters and paddlers follow these important safety tips before entering the water:

Wear a life jacket. The Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of more than 80 percent of boating fatality victims.

Carry a VHF-FM marine radio and alternate means of communication. Cell phones often lose signal and run out of batteries after a day on the water. They are helpful, but not reliable for emergencies. Boaters and paddlers should have access to a handheld VHF marine radio. In addition, the Coast Guard recommends that boaters monitor VHF-FM channel 16 for the most current ocean forecast and marine broadcast information.

Carry a registered EPIRB. Response time is the key to survival. The sooner help arrives, the better the chances for survival. Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) provide the fastest and most accurate way the Coast Guard has of locating and rescuing people in distress.

Other boating safety information and the current boating safety statistics report is available on the Coast Guard boating safety website at​ www.uscgboating.org.

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Coast Guard rescues stranded hiker near Crescent City

Video of a Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew conducting cliff-rescue training, March 7, 2018.

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — The Coast Guard rescued a hiker after he became stranded south of Crescent City, Wednesday evening.

The hiker called 911 dispatchers, who contacted Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders at approximately 4:30 p.m., reporting that the hiker was stranded on a cliff near Nickel Creek.

Sector Humboldt Bay launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to assist the hiker. Once on scene, the helicopter crew lowered the rescue swimmer to the hiker’s location on the cliffs approximately 200 feet above the beach.

The helicopter crew hoisted the swimmer and the hiker from the cliff and transferred the hiker to the beach, where he was met by Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office personnel.

“I felt that our training for these types of conditions kicked in for this rescue, allowing our crew to work incredibly smooth, making this rescue a success,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class John Sandling, the flight mechanic who flew on this case.

“Hiking and rock climbing can be dangerous and should not be taken lightly,” said Lt. Christopher Breuer, the pilot who flew on this case. “Care should be taken especially on the Lost Coast, where remote locations can make rescues difficult.”

“The superb hovering by the pilot and hoisting by the flight mechanic made what could have been a treacherous rescue, into a successful one,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Nicholas Gardner, the rescue swimmer who flew on this case.

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