On June 2nd at approximately 10:30 PM, Contra Costa County Rescue Boat 81 responded to a report of missing persons on the San Joaquin River.
Family members made contact with the US Coast Guard stating that their family members did not return from a late afternoon boat trip. The last report was two adult males launched out of Fulton Shipyard in a personal water craft (jet ski). The US Coast Guard contacted the Fire District and asked for assistance searching the area.
Rescue Boat 81 was launched and started searching different areas and was able to locate the victims near the mouth of Mayberry Cut within 30 minutes. Their personal water craft broke down and they were stranded for about 5 hours without cell phone or radio; they were uninjured but needed immediate assistance.
Boat 81 assisted them back to their vehicle at the launch ramp.
Rescue Boat 81 was placed into service just 8 hours prior to this incident- It was relocated from the Pittsburg Marina and placed in Fire Station 81 to provide better coverage to the Antioch area.
The Fire District is currently expanding our water rescue capabilities and this incident is another example of the many successful calls for assistance we are responding to on our waterways.
Information and Photograph provided by Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
