Coast Guard assists YMCA kayakers near San Juan Islands, June 20

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.