SAN FRANCISCO — Coast Guard crews rescued a kite surfer after his personal locator beacon was activated near the Golden Gate Bridge Saturday at approximately 5:20 p.m.
Coast Guard 11th District watchstanders received notification of the PLB alert and Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center watchstanders issued a radio broadcast alerting mariners in the area of the distress at approximately 4:50 p.m.
Moments later, a good Samaritan reported a person in the water in the vicinity of the beacon location. A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Golden Gate was diverted and arrived on scene at approximately 5:20 p.m.
The boat crew rescued the kite surfer and took him to Station Golden Gate, where he was evaluated by emergency medical service personnel with no reported injuries. "Kite Boarders and wind surfers, like other recreational boaters and water sports enthusiasts, should be as prepared as possible to take responsibility for themselves while recreating on the water," said Lt. Kim Shadwick, a command duty officer from the Sector San Francisco Command Center. "Safety equipment that enables a kite boarder or wind surfer to call for help via a waterproof VHF radio or cell phone is very important. In this case, a kite boarder was being swept out to sea and a small satellite personal locator beacon may have been the difference that saved his life."