When the fun goes out of bounds

With a strong westerly blowing through the Golden Gate Bridge, and an outgoing tide emptying San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean, this iconic boardsailing venue was churning waves for recreational fun. But the fun got out of bounds when it became necessary for the Coast Guard to rescue a windsurfer who had gotten flushed out the Bay.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center received a call at approximately 7:55 pm on August 5 from a family member of a missing windsurfer reporting that he had gone missing.

An Air station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter aircrew was launched along with a Coast Guard Station Golden Gate 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew to search for the windsurfer. San Francisco Fire Department and San Francisco Police Department assets also launched to assist with search efforts.

The aircrew located the windsurfer nearly 2.5 nm beyond the Bridge near the Point Bonita Lighthouse, and safely transported him to Air Station San Francisco with no reported medical concerns. To watch the video, click here.