A 60-year-old man was saved by the U.S. Coast Guard after his kayak overturned in Bellingham Bay on Saturday afternoon, according to USCG.
The survivor was paddling with two others near Fairhaven when weather forced the group to head to shore. Once ashore, the other two noticed a kayaker was missing and tried calling him using a radio, along with calling 911.
USCG Bellingham Station crew and the Air Station Port Angeles helicopter crew responded.
USCG also received distress transmissions from the kayaker, which showed he was in the Bellingham Bay/Squalicum Harbor area.
The boat crew found the man, recovered him from the water, treated him for symptoms of hypothermia and transported him to Bellingham Fire Department paramedics. USCG said the man was in stable condition.
The man was wearing a wetsuit, hat, gloves, bright clothing and a life jacket.
“We urge the public: dress for the water, have a plan, know the weather forecast and have a way to call for help when needed,” the Coast Guard tweeted.
