Update: Rescuers from state ferry help kayaker off Brace Point

(Photo above, rescue boat and overturned kayak, from Tracy White – photo below from Doug and Anne, as the rescue boat was hoisted back aboard the Issaquah)

ORIGINAL 6:39 PM REPORT: On our way now to a call off Brace Point – a kayak overturned in the water, and according to what we’re hearing on the scanner, a ferry is trying to rescue the person who’s with the overturned kayak. 6:44 PM UPDATE: KING had an aerial picture – a lifeboat from a ferry has just picked up the kayaker and reportedly will bring him to the command post in the 9600 block of 50th SW (map). Some of the fire/medic units are being canceled now. 7:04 PM UPDATE: Still awaiting word from our folks at the scene on how the kayaker’s doing – looks like the ferry Issaquah, which helped with the rescue, is now heading back westbound, per VesselWatch. Just added the top photo from Tracy White – thanks! Tracy says, “The (rescue) boat appeared to pick up the kayaker, take them to shore, then come back for the boat …” Also just heard from co-publisher Patrick, who is at the command post – the kayaker was reported to be conscious and alert when brought to shore, and was taken to the hospital as of just a few minutes ago. 7:16 PM: Added the second photo above – thanks to Doug and Anne, who caught the rescue boat being hoisted back aboard the Issaquah. Here’s our photo of the 50th SW street end where police and fire crews staged:

ADDED 8:23 PM: No update on the rescued kayaker’s condition – privacy laws make it impossible to just call the hospital and say “how’s that kayaker?” without a name – but we have a few more photos, from WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, starting with the kayak after it was brought back to the Brace Point beach:

ADDED 9:35 PM: KING has put up its helicopter video (silent) of the entire rescue – watch it here.

ADDED 11:14 PM: Can’t find it online yet, but KOMO had a short interview with the kayaker, identified as Scott Redfern. Q13 has the same name in this short story.

M. March 16, 2009 (6:48 pm)

I’m in the Fauntleroy area and heard a bunch of sirens. I hope they’re ok.

ss March 16, 2009 (6:53 pm)

I watched this from my house! Hope everyone is ok!

BB March 16, 2009 (7:32 pm)

Hope everyone is OK! This is the time of year there are incidents like this. Active folks with cabin fever want to “get back out there” and are seduced by the new daylight after they get home from work. Even though that water in the photo looks managable take it from me, this is not the time to shake off the rust and get your kayak (with 5 inches of freeboard) back on the water. Thankk goodness that ferry was close.

goodshipissaquah March 16, 2009 (7:39 pm)

That is just wonderful work that the ferry captain and crew did. I am so impressed that they didn’t wait to help this person!

bdb March 16, 2009 (9:19 pm)

Have a little a bit of common sense for christ sake ……out there kayaking in the young of spring around here! Gee maybe check out the weather (wind) reports before you head out into a major body of water. You people are lucky you didn’t drown today in the Puget Sound.. Must be from somewhere else. Let this be a lesson for others.

Huindekmi March 17, 2009 (4:32 am)

According to the linked story, things turned bad when the wind came up and the kayak swamped. Swamped. Meaning this guy was paddling out on the open Sound without a sprayskirt!! Or a paddle float. Or knowledge of how to perform a self rescue. Alone!!
For Gods sake, people — this is the type of stupidity that gets people killed on the water every year. Before heading out onto the Sound, do yourself a huge favor and take a basic kayak skills/safety class.
He’s lucky to be alive.

epoxybrain March 17, 2009 (7:29 am)

As a kayaker who has tipped in the sound, I echo the sentiment to be prepared and to paddle with a friend. To this paddler’s credit, he was in a full wetsuit, with a PFD, and from the video you can see he had a paddle float attached. Even the experienced can become tired, disoriented and confused when the waves are rolling, the water is cold and the self-rescue that worked in practice isn’t coming so easy in the real world. It’s ever so helpful to have a buddy yelling encouragement and boosting your confidence. Not to mention the tow rope factor.

Huindekmi March 17, 2009 (7:46 am)

Just got to a computer with the right widgets installed to watch the KING5 rescue tape.
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Paddler did have a paddle float, but apparently didn’t know how to use it (paddle not under deck lines, paddler on the wrong side to effectively attempt re-entry) From the footage, he didn’t appear to be wearing a sprayskirt.
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Based on the water conditions, it appears to be a 5-10kt wind, which isn’t that much. At 6:30 PM, this would be mid-flood. With a wind out of the northwest (haven’t checked the weather sites, just assuming) and the long fetch added to the current, that would explain the moderate swell. Still, those conditions are relatively benign. With a 15-20kt wind opposing the current, this could have gotten really ugly.
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I highly recommend anyone thinking about taking up the sport to 1) take a basic class (you can find them from WKC, the Mountaineers, NWOK and others), 2) practice your rescue skills at least a couple times per year and 3) don’t paddle alone unless you’re a bonafide expert. During the winter, there are pool sessions on the weekends where you can hone rescues, learn a roll and practice basic skills in a safe, controlled and warm environment.
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Let’s be safe out there!

Doug Lloyd March 19, 2009 (9:49 pm)

“Swamped” may not have any bearing with reality. It may just be a generic term applied by a none-paddler to this marine incident.

A reasonably well tained solo paddler should have been able to self-rescue in the conditions show. Objective information is needed to understand this incident.

Doug L

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