Alameda County Sherriff’s Department Marine Patrol rescued a man from the water on October 6 after he fell overboard from his vessel near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
Alameda County Sherriff’s Department Marine Patrol, foreground, transits across the San Francisco Bay after transferring a man they rescued from the water near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to Coast Guard crews. Once aboard the Station Golden Gate 47-foot motor lifeboat, the man reported that his 36-foot vessel, Alma, had continued toward San Francisco going approximately five knots. Photo by Petty Officer Pamela J. Manns
At 11:26 a.m., a concerned citizen reported a person in the water to Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. Alameda County Marine Patrol, already in the area, responded to the call and rescued the man wearing his life jacket by 11:35 a.m. He was then transferred to a Coast Guard Station Golden Gate 47-foot motor lifeboat to be examined by emergency medical personnel.
The man, from San Francisco, reported after being rescued that he had departed earlier in the morning from South Beach Harbor in a recreational vessel. He also reported that his vessel had continued toward San Francisco, transiting at approximately five knots. Alameda County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol and Coast Guard air and water assets immediately began searching for the vessel, while Sector San Francisco broadcasted a safety message to mariners notifying them of the runaway vessel.
At approximately 11:55 a.m., a dry dock employee reported a vessel struck Pier 70. Coast Guard and San Francisco Fire and Police Department personnel arrived on the scene shortly after to shut down the vessel’s engine and secure it to the pier. There were no reports of pollution or structural damage to the vessel or pier from the impact.
After being examined by Alameda County and Coast Guard EMTs, the man was reported to be in good condition, and later he safely piloted his vessel to its homeport.
“Here is a textbook example of how important it is to wear your life jacket,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rick Foster, the public affairs officer for the 11th Coast Guard District. “Due to the dynamic weather conditions and sea states of the Bay Area, even the most experienced mariners may get caught off guard.”
The Coast Guard would like to remind the public of the importance of wearing a lifejacket whenever on board a boat. A properly-fitted lifejacket is required for all persons aboard a vessel, and all children under the age 13 are required to wear a lifejacket while on deck.
