UPDATE: 2 kayakers rescued in West Seattle

(Added: SFD staged at Don Armeni, where rescued kayakers are being taken – photo by Peter Commons)

8:40 AM: Big Seattle Fire water-rescue response – they are reporting “a patient” off Beach Drive, and some units have responded to Don Armeni.

8:44 AM: SFD says the initial report was an overturned kayak. The patient is reported to be on a fireboat, headed to Don Armeni.

8:46 AM: Scanner indicates there are now two kayakers being taken by a fireboat to the medics ashore at Don Armeni.

8:53 AM: We don’t know the kayaker’ conditions yet – one is reported to be undergoing evaluation while the other was described as only having been in the water a short time.

(WSB photo)

9:05 AM: Our crew is at Don Armeni and just sent that photo showing rescuers arriving there. One kayaker, a man, will be taken to Harborview Medical Center by SFD medic unit; SFD also confirms at the scene that the rescue was off Beach Drive.

9:09 AM: The second kayaker will not need medical attention. We’re now told a Seattle Police crew got him and his kayak out of the water; the other kayak was brought in via the SFD fireboat. (Added) SFD says the kayaker taken to the hospital is “approximately” 64 years old and was transported in serious condition.

10 Replies to "UPDATE: 2 kayakers rescued in West Seattle"

  • Heather November 19, 2017 (9:02 am)

    Hope they’re both okay. The waters are too cold to be submerged for long this time of year.

  • Dot November 19, 2017 (9:39 am)

    ThanksbetoGod for our wonderful Police and Fire Departments. Prayers for the folks.

  • @seakajakker November 19, 2017 (10:44 am)

    First of all I hope the kayaker taken to the hospital will be okay and really glad the other is safe.

    I always have so many questions when kayakers/SUP rescues occur.  Not as a way to point out what was wrong, but for knowledge about how this could be prevented in the future, if at all.

    – Were the kayakers wearing cold water immersion clothing?
    – What type of kayak were they in?  Sea Kayak, Sit-on-top, Recreational (<12ft, no bulk-heads)?
    – Were they wearing a spray skirt, if applicable?
    – What were weather conditions like at the time of the incident?
    – Were the kayakers trained in self-resue techniques?
    – Was proper safety gear available?  (i.e. bilge pump, paddle float, PFD, extra paddle, VHF radio)

    Certainly, even if all measures are taken there are situations that can prove difficult.  If you tip over and get separated from your boat and a big gust of wind comes up, your boat will be very far away from you really quickly.  Or if you do get back to your boat, but lost your paddle in the process, you can’t go anywhere (unless you’ve got an extra paddle).  Generally news stories on craft water rescues don’t include this type of information and I’m always curious.

    Is there a way to request a more detailed report of the incident from Seattle Police or the SFD?

    • WSB November 19, 2017 (11:41 am)

      I don’t know whether either department takes reports with that kind of detail on an incident like this.

      • ltfd November 19, 2017 (11:53 am)

        U.S. Coast Guard (Sector Puget Sound) requests that information from the responding department(s) if they don’t have assets on scene.

  • Waterlover November 19, 2017 (3:29 pm)

    Heads up. Federal law(Coast Guard) AND Washington state consider kayak’s, canoe’s, jet ski’s and stand up paddle boards “boats”. This mean’s they’re required by law to have ALL the safety equipment that larger boats have,ie life jacket’s,horn’s etc. Most people don’t know until it’s too late. EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!!

    • Yes2ws November 19, 2017 (8:30 pm)

      How much etc are you talking about? I’ve a visual of a pretty loaded down paddle board. Ha!

  • Out for a Walk November 19, 2017 (10:30 pm)

    I certainly hope all folks are ok and safe. Thank you to emergency responders. 

    My question is who pays for this rescue?  Are the folks in the water borne equipment held responsible for the costs?  

    • WSB November 19, 2017 (10:43 pm)

      We all pay for it, same way we all pay for the response to a car crash, a house fire, and all manner of other emergencies requiring responses by tax-funded responders such as firefighters, rescue divers, etc.

  • @seakajakker November 19, 2017 (10:54 pm)

    Required for a SUP is PFD (Type III) for each person, a sound signaling device (whistle), visual distress signal (flares), navigation light (headlamp, flashlight).  Source

    Recommended for a SUP is leash and cold water immersion clothing.  Dress for the water, not the weather.  Drysuit or thick wetsuit year-round in Puget Sound, unless you’re Wim Hof.  

    Note that inflatable PFDs must be worn at all times.  Also, SUPs must follow the Navigation Rules, which basically means SUPs do NOT have the right of way.

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