Coast Guard, partner agencies rescue injured hiker in Alum Rock Park

Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sarah Wilson

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, UNITED STATES

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station San Francisco hoists and transfers an injured woman to emergency medical services personnel near San Jose, Calif., Aug. 5, 2018. The woman was reportedly hiking in Alum Rock State Park when she had a seizure, fell into a ravine and suffered injuries to her leg and ribs.

SAN FRANCISCO — Coast Guard, San Jose Fire Department and California State Park crews worked together to rescue an injured hiker in Alum Rock Park near San Jose, Sunday morning.

San Jose Fire Department dispatchers contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders around midnight, Saturday, to request a hoist-capable aircraft for a woman who was hiking with a friend when she reportedly had a seizure, fell into a ravine and suffered leg and rib injuries.

San Jose Fire Department paramedics and park rangers responded by land to stabilize the woman and await further help.

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew arrived on scene around 2:30 a.m., hoisted the injured woman into the helicopter and transferred her to emergency medical services personnel waiting in a nearby parking lot.

After refueling at San Jose International Airport, the aircrew returned to the scene, hoisted the woman's friend and took him to the same parking lot.

"This case was an excellent example of Bay Area agencies working together seamlessly," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Dylan Langley, the duty flight mechanic aboard the Dolphin helicopter. "The rescue would not have gone as smoothly without the professionalism of the San Jose Fire Department and our other partners on the ground."

The Coast Guard helicopter crew consisted of Lt. Adam Frye, pilot; Lt. Anders Manley, copilot; Petty Officer 3rd Class Dan Gossage, rescue swimmer; and Langley.

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Coast Guard medevacs 23-year-old woman near Santa Barbara Island

Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class SondraKay Kneen

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — The Coast Guard medevaced a 23-year-old woman from a diving boat in the vicinity of Santa Barbara Island, Sunday morning. 

The dive boat's crew notified Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center watchstanders at approximately 7:30 a.m., of a diver found unconscious after surfacing from her dive.

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was dispatched to assist.

The Dolphin crew arrived on scene, hoisted the woman into the helicopter and transported her to the University of Southern California Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, where she was reported to be in stable condition.

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Coast Guard rescues 4 in Suisun Bay

Video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sarah Wilson, U.S. Coast Guard District 11

A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescues a family of four near Naval Weapons Station Concord in Suisun Bay, Calif., July 14, 2018, after the family's 22-foot sailing vessel ran aground and began taking on water. The crew transported the family to Buchanan Field Airport in Concord with no medical concerns. 

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard rescued a family of four near Naval Weapons Station Concord in Suisun Bay, Saturday, after the family's 22-foot sailing vessel ran aground and began taking on water.

The master of the vessel contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders via VHF channel 16 around 1:25 p.m. to request help for his family, which included his wife and two young children.

An aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco and a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Vallejo diverted to the scene, as well as a Solano County Sheriff marine unit.

Due to the shallow depth of the water, the boat crews could not reach the sailing vessel. The Coast Guard helicopter crew lowered the flight rescue swimmer, Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Goodman, who swam to the vessel to hoist each of the family members.

The crew transported the family to Buchanan Field Airport in Concord with no medical concerns.

The helicopter crew consisted of Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth Ingram, pilot; Lt. Samuel England, co-pilot; Petty Officer 2nd Class Bradley Sorrell, an aviation maintenance technician; and Goodman.

The case was Sorrell's first rescue.

"I'm glad we were near the location of the vessel at the time of the call and were able to get on scene in a matter of minutes to conduct the hoist," said Sorrell. "It was a proud day for me as it hits close to home, being that I have two kids myself. Seeing the family of four make it home safely is why we do this job."

The sailing vessel is reportedly still aground and listing in two to three feet of water. There are no reports of pollution.

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Coast Guard rescues two fishermen near Santa Cruz

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam Stanton

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard rescued two fishermen off the coast of Santa Cruz after their 27-foot fishing vessel sank, Sunday morning.

A jogger contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders at approximately 6:30 a.m. and reported seeing two people stranded on a rock off the coast of Wilder Ranch State Park.

Sector San Francisco launched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and a Coast Guard Station Santa Cruz 47-foot Motor Lifeboat to the scene. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol also responded.

The Dolphin crew arrived on scene and located the stranded fishermen who were both wearing life jackets. The crew hoisted the fishermen into the helicopter and transferred them to shore, where emergency medical personnel were waiting.

The fishermen reported they had struck an object early Sunday morning, causing their vessel to break apart and sink. They were able to swim to nearby rocks and call out to the jogger on shore for help.

"Life jackets played a pivotal role in the success of this rescue," said Cmdr. Tim List, the Sector San Francisco search and rescue mission coordinator for this case. "Life jackets allowed these fishermen to stay afloat so they could make their way to the rocks and call out for help. Heading out to sea can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous, so we always urge boaters and fisherman to wear life jackets at all times when underway."

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2 fishermen reported overdue near Santa Cruz Island return to Ventura Marina

MH-65 Dolphin, ©USCG

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — Two fishermen who were reported overdue returned to Ventura Marina Wednesday evening.

At approximately 6 p.m., Kevin Thompson, 47, and Andy Pilmer, 47, returned to Ventura Marina with no reported injuries. 

At approximately 2 p.m., a girlfriend of one of the fishermen reported the men missing to watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. Thompson and Pilmer departed the Ventura Marina at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday and were expected to return Wednesday at 6 a.m. Their fishing route included Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island and Yellow Banks. 

Watchstanders dispatched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to begin searching.

The fishermen were aboard a white 20-foot center-consoled fishing vessel with a blue stripe.

Mariners are reminded of the importance of providing details of their intended voyage and a description of their vessel to family and friends prior to leaving port. This information is critical to rescuers in case of an emergency.

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Coast Guard searches for 2 fishermen near Santa Cruz Island

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — The Coast Guard is searching for two overdue fishermen near Santa Cruz Island Wednesday. 

Missing is Kevin Thompson, 47, from Ventura and Andy Pilmer, 47, from Ventura.

At approximately 2 p.m., a girlfriend of one of the fishermen reported the men missing to watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. Thompson and Pilmer departed the Ventura Marina at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday and were expected to return Wednesday at 6 a.m. Their fishing route included Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island and Yellow Banks. 

Watchstanders dispatched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to begin searching.

The fishermen are reported to be aboard a white 20-foot center-consoled fishing vessel with a blue stripe.

If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact the Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders at (310) 521-3801.

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Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco hosts search and rescue interagency day

Coast Guard to host multiple agencies for emergency planning coordination in San Francisco

U.S. Coast Guard photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory J. Mendenhall

WHO: Search and rescue operators from the Coast Guard, California Highway Patrol, CALSTAR Air Medical Services, Army National Guard, 129th Air National Guard, National Park Service and local Bay Area fire, police and sheriff’s departments are scheduled to attend. Members will be available for interview to discuss emergency rescue operations in the Bay Area.

WHAT: Search and Rescue Interagency Day events are scheduled to include displays and demonstrations of rescue aircraft, vehicles and other equipment and presentations on search and rescue practices.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wednesday

WHERE: Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, San Francisco Int'l Airport at 1020 N. Access Road, San Francisco, CA 94128

SAN FRANCISCO — Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco is scheduled to host aircrews and rescue personnel from multiple agencies Wednesday, for their Search and Rescue Interagency Day.

Search and Rescue Interagency Day is an interactive exchange that allows Bay Area first responders to share best practices, develop life-saving skills and foster partnerships. 

Rescue personnel from the Coast Guard, California Highway Patrol, CALSTAR Air Medical Services, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, National Park Service and Bay Area fire, police and sheriff’s departments will come together to train each other on emergency response resources, equipment and capabilities prior a large-scale incident in the Bay Area. 

Emergency response is a team effort that requires strong partnerships. When an emergency occurs in the Bay Area, agencies must work together to share information and resources, and help ensure the safety and security of millions of people.

"Each agency has unique skills, experience and capabilities that can help save lives during a major emergency,” said Cmdr. Chris Huberty, the executive officer at Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco. “If we can learn from each other before an incident, we’ll be more prepared to work together and respond effectively and efficiently during a joint search and rescue mission."

Participants are scheduled to display rescue equipment and vehicles, including multiple helicopters used by their respective agencies. Other scheduled events include helicopter hoist demonstrations, classroom scenarios and case study discussions.

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Coast Guard suspends search for missing 48-year-old man near Newport Beach

SAN PEDRO, Calif.— The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing 48-year-old man in the vicinity of Newport Beach at 11:20 a.m., Monday, pending the development of new information.

The Coast Guard and partner agencies searched for approximately 19 hours covering nearly 186 square nautical miles.

The missing person was identified as Nicolas Busick. He is described as a 48-year old male, approximately 6 feet, 175 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair and was reportedly wearing a dark t-shirt and grey shorts. His 17-foot Boston Whaler was found washed ashore near Newport Beach Sunday.

At approximately 6:00 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders received initial notification of a possible missing person in the water near Newport Beach.

At approximately 6:40 p.m. ,watchstanders dispatched an aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco's Forward Operating Base Point Mugu and the Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal to begin searching for the missing person.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, along with the cutter Narwhal, continued to search throughout Monday morning.

Orange County Sheriff Department's Harbor Patrol, Newport Beach Police Department, Newport Beach Lifeguards and Huntington Beach Police Department personnel assisted with the search.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center at 310-521-3801.

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