Helicopter plucks men off ocean cliff after boat capsizes, California rescuers say

Two men whose boat capsized on rocks in Bodega Bay on Friday night ended up trapped at the base of impassable cliffs when the vessel washed ashore, California officials say.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hoisted the men to safety in high winds next to the cliff face, a news release from the agency says.

“It was a great team effort by Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, Station Bodega Bay and Air Station San Francisco in executing the daring rescue,” said Cmdr. Paul Miller, search and rescue mission coordinator, reported The San Francisco Chronicle.

They were taken to a Coast Guard station and treated for mild hypothermia, the release says.

Coast Guard boat crews had earlier found the men trapped by the cliffs after a search prompted by reports of a capsized boat somewhere in the bay north of San Francisco, the release says.

A friend of the boaters called 911 about 4:45 p.m. and the helicopter rescue took place about 15 minutes later, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. The men were trapped on a rocky cliff at the Estero de San Antonio River entrance to the bay.

“These men are alive today because they had their life jackets on,” Coast Guard officials wrote. “The ocean is not forgiving. If you are ever unsure about the weather conditions please give us a call.”

The agency also advised boaters to always bring a radio.

This story was originally published September 27, 2020 at 7:47 AM with the headline "Helicopter plucks men off ocean cliff after boat capsizes, California rescuers say."