(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - A Coast Guard Station Ketchikan 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew rescued a kayaker near Ketchikan Sunday.

The Coast Guard was notified by the Alaska State Troopers at 10:30 a.m. Sunday of a person in the water in Thorn Arm, about 12 miles southeast of Ketchikan.

The RB-S crew arrived on scene and took the kayaker aboard, who was reportedly showing signs of severe hypothermia. The kayaker was reportedly not wearing his life jacket. The small boat crew brought the kayaker to Ketchikan where an awaiting emergency medical service took him to PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center for further medical care.

"Due to the coordinated efforts between the Coast Guard assets, Alaska State Troopers, and EMS, we were able to rescue the kayaker and get him to further medical care," said Vince Grochowski, a search and rescue coordinator with Sector Juneau. "The Coast Guard constantly works closely with its partner agencies to assist and rescue mariners in distress."

Mariners are reminded to file a float plan, dress for the conditions and take multiple forms of communication with them to improve their chances of reaching response services in the event of an emergency.

National Safe Boating Week is May 19 - 25. Throughout the state of Alaska, Coast Guard active duty personnel and Auxiliarists will be hosting a variety of events to promote boating safety.

The use of life jackets, emergency beacons, flares, float plans and appropriate communications devices are advised for anyone operating watercraft. To ensure compliance with boating safety requirements, Coast Guard Auxiliarists will be offering boat inspections and safety classes in many coastal Alaskan towns. In Ketchikan, free vessel examinations were offered over the weekend at Bar Harbor North and Knutson Cove.

"Alaska is a beautiful place to live. Its vastness offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for people to participate in," said Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, commander, 17th Coast Guard District. "I encourage anyone who plans on going out on the water to wear life jackets at all times."

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

USCG
www.uscg.mil

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