Vidas salvadas
1
Boating
Ocean
Boat Sinking
Rogue wave
Personal Locator Beacon Leads Kayaker to Rescue
26.801820184551°N, -80.039745330811°W
Posted on March 9, 2023 by DAVID BREWER
What happened?
I am a 70 year old heart transplant recipient. When on a kayak fishing trip and on my return a rogue wave from a passing super yacht tipped my kayak over and it immediately sank. I attempted to tight the boat but it was to heavy for me and I had to give up. Thankfully I was wearing a personal locator beacon.
I didn’t know that my Personal Locator Beacon automatically activated when I hit the water. There was no one near to see what happened to me so I stayed with kayak as about a foot of the front of the boat was still afloat.
While I waited, unaware of any help on the way, my activated PLB had already sent a distress signal to the Coast Guard in Miami. They quickly coordinated a rescue, alerting both local marine resources and deploying a helicopter and marine units to my GPS location.
I was rescued thanks to that beacon—a device I now consider essential for kayak fishing safety for seniors. Remarkably, the next day, the Coast Guard even returned my kayak to their docks so I could take it home.
Words of wisdom
Kayakers always wear a life jacket and if you don’t have one get a PLB and clip it to the vest. Don’t just have it in the kayak wear it. You will not be able to put it on if you are in the water.
Thank you note
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I would not have survived if not for the beacon.
Rescue location
Riviera Beach, FL, USA
Rescue team
Coast Guard

