Happy Ending Incident

[EEL]

It is with some trepidation, but I believe good to show not all kayaking incidents end sadly/badly. So....

"STONINGTON — A kayaker had to be treated for mild hypothermia after their kayak started taking on water off the coast of Stonington on Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Petty Officer Matt Burt, a spokesman for the United States Coast Guard, said the Rockland station dispatched a boat to the area of Second Island – an island near Stonington – to assist with the rescue but by the time the Coast Guard boat arrived the kayaker had been rescued by another mariner.

Burt said the kayaker, who was paddling with a group of kayakers around 3 p.m., was transported to shore by the good samaritan and treated by a local ambulance crew for mild hypothermia.

The man or woman was not identified.

Burt said the kayakers, who were wearing life jackets, used handheld radios to notify the Coast Guard that a member of their group was in distress."

Four points worth noting it seems to me:

1. Paddling with companions who can help is good;

2. Notice just how far the CG had to travel to help and that a VHF handheld did the trick;

3. Kayaks can sink;

4. When the chips are down in remote locations the odds are it is another boater/fisherman who will be there to help well before CG shows up.

Ed Lawson

[Katherine]

Thanks for posting!

[Brian Nystrom]

It's amazing what a difference preparedness can make...

[NateHanson]

The mariner who responded was in fact Bill Baker of Old Quarry, though the group had no connection to Old Quarry. (It's remarkable how often he ends up providing assistance when folks are in trouble around there.)

Perhaps this group will plan for cold water next time, and be equiped to deal with hypothermia and equipment problems on their own. Glad all ended well.