A kayaker pulled from the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay was fortunate to survive after a coordinated rescue near the Bay Bridge.
The San Francisco Police Department’s Marine Unit and Drone as First Responder (DFR) Team joined San Francisco firefighters in the Thursday afternoon operation.
The response began after a 911 caller reported an overturned kayak near the San Francisco Ferry Building late Thursday afternoon.
Drone footage later shared by the SFPD on Instagram showed the capsized kayak at about 2:41 p.m.
A second 911 caller said one kayaker, who was wearing a life jacket, had reached shore safely. The person’s companion, however, was still missing in the water.
An SFPD drone located the overturned kayak, and a San Francisco Fire Department boat soon arrived. Responders recovered the kayak and a paddle behind Fire Station 35.
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One of the callers then reported hearing someone beneath the Bay Bridge’s westernmost column.
Marine Unit officers found and pulled the man from the water before transferring him to the fire department boat.
“This rescue is a reminder to prepare before heading out on the bay,” the SFPD said in an Instagram post. “Conditions can change quickly, and cold water and strong currents can put even experienced paddlers at risk.”
Police urged kayakers to wear life jackets, keep a cellphone in a waterproof pouch or dry bag, check weather conditions, tides and currents before launching, and share their trip plans with someone on shore.
The rescue came one day before San Francisco’s Fleet Week weekend began Friday morning. Following Thursday’s busy response, the SFPD Marine Unit returned to the water Friday to help launch the annual celebration with the Parade of Ships.