CCGA Unit 12 Assists in Rescue of Kayakers

'Ken Moore' and 'Grackle' Rescue Stranded Kayakers in Welcome Pass

Members of Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Pacific Unit 12 Halfmoon Bay received a pager call-out at 11:29 AM on Sunday, August 24th. The 'Ken Moore' left its base at Secret Cove at 11:55 AM tasked to find and rescue a person in the water near Grant Island in Welcome Pass.

A single blue kayak was spotted by crew members on a rock ledge on the south side of Grant Island at approximately 12:00 noon. Two females were on ledges alongside the kayak, along with two paddles and some kayaking gear.  As one of the women was easily available to the rescue boat she was picked up from shore and placed aboard our vessel.  The other party was on a higher ledge and as the sea was pounding the boat on the rocks it was determined to put one of our crew ashore to help her down to a pickup position while the 'Ken Moore' left to find the 'Grackle' and established the whereabouts of the third kayaker and her boat. 'Grackle' was found under way in a bay to the east of Grant Island with the third party and her kayak safely aboard.  The 'Ken Moore' returned to Grant Island at 1210 hours and picked up the remaining kayaker, kayak, gear, and CCGA crew member, and returned to the Secret Cove Gas Barge at 1220 hours. The Canadian Coast Guard vessel 'French Creek 1' arrived at Secret Cove Marina and members debriefed the rescued Kayakers.
 
The first kayaker the 'Ken Moore' had taken aboard had lost her kayak while getting herself ashore and her boat was taken aboard a vessel of opportunity which delivered it to the floats at Secret Cove Marina.  A float plane had been very helpful to the original searchers by flying figure eights and pointing out the position of the parties in peril.

Another happy ending to what could have been bad news!
 
 

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