UPDATE: Rescue response after report of person possibly in trouble offshore

(SFD aid unit at Lincoln Park just in case)

4:56 PM: A two-location rescue response is being launched right now – a paddleboarder is reported to be in trouble off Lincoln Park; some SFD units will be staging at Seacrest/Don Armeni.

5:01 PM: Patrick Gerding sent the video of SFD units arriving at Seacrest:

@westseattleblog @curb_cuisine pic.twitter.com/9m1IJ1LpdN

— Patrick Gerding (@patrickgerding) October 15, 2016

Meantime, unit(s) at Lincoln Park are trying to get the potential rescuee in view.

5:16 PM: The situation is changing significantly. This might be a sailboarder, not a paddleboarder, and responders weren’t able to find anyone in trouble at all – they’ve talked to a sailboarder who apparently was already safely back on shore on Alki Point and didn’t see anyone else out there. Someone called in thinking the person were in trouble, but was not. Police our crew talked to at Lincoln Park said they’d heard the same thing. Searchers are still looking just in case.

5:34 PM: Nobody found, so this is winding down.

SequoiaSempervirens October 14, 2016 (4:58 pm)

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems irresponsible to be paddleboarding when the weather’s this nautical.

WS Rookie Pilot October 14, 2016 (5:04 pm)

You mean Seacrest? 8 units total arrived as we were disembarking off water taxi at 5… Did not see anything on water though…

WS Rookie Pilot October 14, 2016 (5:07 pm)

Just saw your update on staging at Seacrest, don’t mind last post, thanks!!!

AF October 14, 2016 (5:08 pm)

really? someone is stupid enough to paddleboard in this? that’s impressive.

Kelly October 14, 2016 (5:09 pm)

Such a waste of rescue resources when they are needed elsewhere. I hope they find this person safely, and then promptly bill them for the full expense of the rescue.

WSB October 14, 2016 (5:12 pm)

Now we’re hearing it might be a sailboarder. Please suspend the judgment without knowledge of the circumstances. We also know there have been situations in which somebody wasn’t in trouble but somebody on shore panicked and called it in, so unless you want a ban on anyone going in the water in certain circumstances … which I think would have to be arranged through the Coast Guard. They still as of 5:12 pm aren’t getting a visual but now they’re looking closer to Alki Point.
Maria October 14, 2016 (8:56 pm)

No one was in distress. The participant did not call for a rescue. Why should they pay?

Chris October 14, 2016 (5:16 pm)

And…WSB…no reason to suspend judgement! Someone is going to have to risk their safety and make sure this Dumb*** is Ok! Not Good!

WSB October 14, 2016 (5:40 pm)

The question is where do you draw the line? Some people think all hiking/mountain climbing is an irresponsible risk – you might fall and die. So should it be banned? Should the people who swim in Puget Sound be prevented from doing it because the water is generally at hypothermia level? And so on. At this point it appears somebody might have overreacted. Glad they did just in case, but it’s no reason to start lashing out at the person who was out there, as apparently they didn’t make the call and had no idea a call was made.
Wheat October 15, 2016 (2:44 pm)

Who’s the dumbass in your scenario? The person out on the water who wasn’t in distress and never called 911? The person who “thought” the person out on the water was in trouble and actually called 911? The first response personnel who responded? Or the person posting a baseless trolling comment?

Joe October 14, 2016 (5:17 pm)

mostly concerned citizens will call and the watersports nut doesn’t want help. I just got off the water and always worry about someone calling when i don’t need help. most of us are properly equipped.

Laura October 14, 2016 (5:20 pm)

A photo from above

Cisco October 14, 2016 (5:24 pm)

Just talked to the two offers that responded. They got a call about someone who looked distressed. Its a kite boarder. They managed to contact him and hes fine. I bet he’s having the time of his life out there.

WSB October 14, 2016 (5:35 pm)

That’s the kiteboarder/sailboarder (forgive me if one is the wrong term) to whom they talked onshore, I believe. But whatever the case, this is now breaking up, after they searched enough area from Lincoln Park to Alki and beyond to determine there’s no sign of anyone in trouble.

Kona October 14, 2016 (5:28 pm)

It’s at Seacrest, and it’s not rough over here. Like it is at Constellation.

ehyi October 14, 2016 (5:42 pm)

Not that it matters to most land lubbers but there is a difference between:

Paddle board

Stand up paddle board

Surfboard

Sailboard or windsurfer

Kite board

WSB October 14, 2016 (5:47 pm)

I know, and I apologize but it was initially dispatched as paddleboarder. Then they started talking about a sail. And I know paddleboarders don’t have sails. And so it went … maybe I can find a glossary later. But there’s lots more storm news to catch up with … separately … so I have to get on to that.

nw October 14, 2016 (6:39 pm)

I use to during high north winds go surf alki point it reels right off the point south down to the walkway on beach drive please leave me the f :) alone if you see me surfing out there this winter.

Waterperson October 16, 2016 (8:34 am)

NW I second your post. I kite surf, and down downwind paddle board frequently between Alki and Three Tree Point; and don’t even start thinking about going out unless its blowing above 25 knots. If there is a strong wind others and I will be out there. Everyone I know that participates in these activities, at this location, and in these kinds of conditions are all experienced watermen/women. These are the kinds of conditions that are necessary for us to participate in our sport. While its great that bystanders are concerned about people’s wellbeing; It would be really helpful for these bystanders to make sure that it is highly probable that the person(s) they suspect are having a problem truly are in distress before they call 911 and waste rescue resources. Also bystanders should remember that most of us out there are equipped and trained to either self rescue ourselves back to shore or be helped out by our partner should we have an equipment problem.

yes2ws October 14, 2016 (6:42 pm)

Thank you, WSB and Joe for your voices of reason. Much appreciated!

Jt October 14, 2016 (6:45 pm)

This will probably fall on deaf ears to certain blowhards who enjoy hurling anonymous insults on the internet. However, it is worth understanding that the majority of people who enjoy the water on days like today are not out there based on some sort of dare or thrill seeking, but rather have the experience and skill to enjoy their sport quite safely. There is a small community of very experienced downwind paddleboarders in Seattle. Nearly all of these people take water safety extremely seriously and go out with proper equipment and waterproof forms of communication to land. We greatly appreciate concerned citizens. However, it is rare that a rescue call is warranted if not initiated from the paddler.

Jen October 14, 2016 (7:52 pm)

Saw both windsurfer and SUPer this afternoon off Beach Dr. They looked like they were having a blast! Never looked like they were “in trouble”, but I suppose better safe than sorry..? I always assume that when folks are out there in days like this (as they often are), they probably know what they’re doing.

Mark Baron October 14, 2016 (8:22 pm)

As the kayaker who plays along the sea wall at Constellation park in windstorms during high tide I can say thatrisk is a trifle subjective. What is high risk to a new player inthe high risk sports arena is relatively controlled to a skilled participant. It’s like class 2 rapids as compared to class 5.

ltfd October 14, 2016 (11:16 pm)

It was a little rough out there today, but the paddle boarder (stand-up) and windsurfers were enjoying mother nature, as is their right. The concerned 911 caller made a report and units (KCSO Marine Unit & and SFD land & marine units) checked-out the area to ensure no one was in need of assistance. Everyone was OK, though some of us got a little wet.

No harm, no foul.