SEATTLE— The Coast Guard assisted 11 kayakers from the YMCA Camp Orkila near the San Juan Islands Tuesday night, June 18. A 45-foot motor lifeboat crew, from Coast Guard Station Bellingham pulled in the stranded group of camp counselors and transferred them back to a boat from the YMCA camp. A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles was also on-scene. The kayakers took refuge in a cove at Little Sister Island when they were beset by weather with 15 knots winds and a small craft advisory. The Coast Guard was notified at 4:56 p.m. and diverted the crews from a patrol. The Coast Guard reminds the public to stay alert of their surroundings and pay attention to the weather and tides when venturing out on ocean trips.
