A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Coos Bay and a rescue swimmer off an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend retrieved and safely transported the kayaker, Evan Merrell, to emergency medical service personnel from Charleston Fire Department and Bay City Ambulances waiting at Charleston Marina. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received the initial report around 3:30 p.m. from local dispatch personnel of a kayaker struggling and yelling for help. The MLB and Dolphin crews launched in response. The aircrew spotted Merrell in the water, who was clinging to his kayak after falling out while fishing. Rescue swimmer Petty Officer 3rd Class Matt Yee was lowered into the water and stayed with Merrell, who was reportedly showing signs of hypothermia, until the boat crew arrived. Once on scene, boat crew members Seaman Jon Claridge and Seaman Lindsey Freetly pulled the kayaker abroad and assisted him in to the onboard survivor’s compartment, where Yee treated him for hypothermia. Weather on scene reported as clear with 12-mph winds, and an air temperature of 65 F and water temperature of 57 F.
