SAN FRANCISCO — The crews of Coast Guard Station Rio Vista, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Marine Patrol unit and a maritime good Samaritan, Bodega Bell, rescued one adult, one child and a dog from an overturned vessel near Big Break Marina in Oakley Friday afternoon.
The call for assistance came in to the Contra Costa dispatch center that was subsequently transferred to the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center. A request to nearby mariners was released and Bodega Bell responded in the team effort to locate and rescue the father, son and dog.The man and child were both wearing life jackets, which greatly increased their chances of survival and the likelihood of first responders locating them. Despite not having a marine radio, the most reliable means of maritime distress communication, they did have a cell phone, which played a critical role in locating the two individuals along with their dog. "This case was perfectly executed," said Chief Petty Officer Jason P. Miller, officer in charge, Coast Guard Station Rio Vista. "There was a quick response by Station Rio Vista, Contra Costa County's Marine unit and the good Samaritan. Station Rio Vista's Officer of the Day kept the 11-year-old boy, who was in the water, calm and was able to get great information which allowed the response and rescue boats to locate him and his father quickly. The response was made more effective due to the young man's ability to remain calm under a stressful situation. The coordination with the Contra Costa County units was excellent. We could not have asked for a better-executed rescue."