US Coast Guard rescues two kiteboarders in Grays Harbor

The US Coast Guard rescued two kiteboarders on Tuesday night after they were swept out to sea near Damon Point in Grays Harbor County, Washington. The emergency began around 8 p.m. following a report from the Grays Harbor Communications 911 Center.

Search and rescue operations involved a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, a 29-foot Response Boat-Small from Station Grays Harbor, and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria. Despite low cloud ceilings and poor visibility, the helicopter crew successfully hoisted a woman from a sandbar. Following a report from the Ocean Shores Police Department, the crew also located and hoisted a man from a rock jetty.

The individuals were transported to Ocean Shores Municipal Airport at 10:54 p.m. and transferred to emergency medical personnel. Lt. Cmdr. Alex Cardenas noted the difficulty of the approach due to limited visibility and the duration the individuals spent in the wind and water.