Coast Guard, lifeguard rescue surfer near Half Moon Bay

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

A Coast Guard aircrew circles above a lifeguard and a surfer in the water before hoisting the surfer into the helicopter near Montara State Beach in Half Moon Bay, California, July 8, 2018. After the surfer became stranded on some rocks, the lifeguard helped the surfer swim into open water so the Coast Guard crew could conduct the hoist and transfer him to emergency medical services personnel waiting on shore.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard and an East Bay Regional Parks lifeguard rescued a surfer who was stranded on the rocks near Half Moon Bay, Sunday.

A man hiking on a cliff above the rocks contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders around 1:45 p.m. to request help for the surfer, who was stuck on the rocks and unable to get to shore.

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Golden Gate boat crew launched to assist.

The East Bay Regional Parks lifeguard helped the man swim into open water so the Coast Guard aircrew could hoist him. The lifeguard then swam to shore, and the helicopter crew transferred the surfer to emergency medical services personnel waiting near the beach with no reported injuries.

"This is a perfect example of teamwork in action, from the good Samaritan who made the call to the lifeguard who helped the surfer back into the water so we could hoist him," said Coast Guard Lt. Anders Manley, who co-piloted the helicopter for the hoist. "It proves that keeping the Bay Area safe is a team effort, especially as more people get out on the water to enjoy summertime weather."

The Coast Guard aircrew consisted of Lt. Sam Hafensteiner, pilot; Lt. Anders Manley, co-pilot; Petty Officer 2nd Class Eli Bell, a rescue swimmer; and Petty Officer 3rd Class Dylan Langley, an avionics electrical technician.

-USCG-

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."

-USCG-

Coast Guard rescues four boaters from sinking vessel near Pacifica

Photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory Mendenhall, U.S. Coast Guard District 11

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescues four boaters after their 21-foot vessel sank approximately 400 yards west of Pacifica, California, June 30, 2018. The boaters were hoisted into the helicopter from the water and flown to San Francisco International Airport.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard rescued four boaters after their 21-foot sport fishing vessel began taking on water near Pacifica, Saturday.

The boaters called 911 dispatchers via cell phone, who then relayed the call to Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders, reporting that their boat was sinking approximately 400 yards from the Pacifica Municipal Pier and they were in the water wearing life jackets.

Sector San Francisco dispatched a Coast Guard Station Golden Gate 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew and a Coast Guard Air Station MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, who was already in flight, to the scene.

The boaters maintained contact with 911 dispatchers while in the water and were being visually monitored by Pacifica Fire Department crews on shore.

The helicopter crew arrived on scene at approximately 12:30 p.m., hoisted all four boaters and transported them to the San Francisco International Airport with no reported injuries.

"This was a great example of how quickly a normal day on the water can turn into an emergency situation within minutes," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Piasecki, the Air Station San Francisco rescue swimmer who conducted the rescue. "Wearing life jackets allowed these survivors to stay alive and afloat until rescue crews arrived on scene. Attempting to put on a life jacket during an emergency can be nearly impossible, so we urge boaters to wear life jackets at all times when underway."

-USCG-