Three kayakers were rescued Thursday afternoon after calling for emergency assistance when their kayaks began taking on water approximately 1.6 miles off Coal Oil Point.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reported that the group, consisting of two men and one woman, was safely brought to shore without injuries.
The incident occurred around 2:29 p.m. when the kayakers realized they were in distress. Fire Department water rescue firefighters and paramedics responded quickly, reaching the trio via rescue watercraft.
The agency confirmed that none of the kayakers were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident—an issue that could have posed additional risks.
The Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol also provided support, assisting in safely transporting the kayakers to Santa Barbara Harbor.
This incident serves as an important reminder of water safety precautions for those venturing out on the ocean. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department urges all kayakers and recreational paddlers to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets and to stay mindful of changing ocean conditions.
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Always wear a life jacket, even if you are a strong swimmer. You could fall out and hit your head.
Windy afternoon a mile and a half out sans life jackets or any respect for the ocean. What could go wrong? I wonder if the kayak rental there at Campus Point is sending these folks out without life jackets. That would be absurd, but hey…
It wasn’t windy at all. Rescue should never have been called.
They should be wearing wetsuits this time of year.
60 and some wind chill is cold if you aren’t acclimated.