Rescue Drone, July 5

Drones have become more popular and coastal rescue teams are deploying them. On the North Coast June 28, a kayaker was in trouble on Tillamook Bay. According to witnesses, he was offshore about 300-feet at 6:12 p.m. and struggling to hold onto his kayak. Garibaldi Fire personnel deployed their rescue drone which delivered an orange life ring within minutes. A rescue swimmer was then able to reach the victim and assist him back to shore during an outgoing tide and two-foot white cap breaking waves. It’s the first time Garibaldi Fire Department has used the heavy-lifting drone out of six water rescue calls this Summer.