The U.S. Coast Guard credits a satellite messenger device with helping crews locate kayakers in distress off Vancouver Island on Sunday (June 9).
Crews pulled four adults, a child and a dog from swamped kayaks north west of Lummi Island on Sunday. The Washington State island is part of the the San Juan Islands directly east of Sidney on Vancouver Island. All individuals and the dog were wearing lifejackets.
One of the rescued individuals activated thier inReach, a satellite messenger device. The coast guard recommends satellites devices when phone service may be unavailable.
The crew transferred one person to emergency medical services and everyone else was brought to Station Bellingham.