SAN PEDRO, Calif. – The Coast Guard rescued an overdue kayaker from the water approximately 10 miles off the coast of Gaviota State Beach, Calif., early Saturday morning at about 3:30 a.m.
Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watch standers received an initial report of an overdue kayaker around 9 p.m., Friday evening, when the kayaker failed to return after departing from Gaviota State Beach at approximately 1130 a.m., Friday morning.
A Coast Guard Response boat crew from Station Channel Islands, the Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles, and assisting agencies were launched to search for the man.
After arriving on scene, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Halibut located the individual in the water on his kayak and retrieved both safely onboard the cutter.
The individual was wearing a lifejacket, shorts and a t-shirt at the time of recovery and suffered no serious injuries. The man is being taken to Santa Barbara, where he will be reunited with family and evaluated by EMS.
The Coast Guard reminds boaters of the importance of having proper safety equipment and the wearing of floatation devices. Having the proper safety equipment will assist in ensuring you safety in event of an emergency.
For more information on lifejacket laws in the state of California, click http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/LifeJacketInfo.aspx