SEATTLE – A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Air Station Port Angeles rescued a woman from Puget Sound two miles off Edmonds Pier, Friday.
At approximately 10 p.m. on Friday, July 17, Snohomish County 911 notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound that a woman had entered the water off Edmonds Pier.
Watchstanders immediately coordinated the launch of a MH-65 Dolphin aircrew from Air Station Port Angeles, dispatched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle, and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Blue Shark to search for the missing woman.
The Edmonds Fire Department and Washington State Ferries also assisted in the search.
During search efforts, the rescue swimmer from the Port Angeles aircrew utilized his handheld night vision device to spot splashing in the water, nearly two miles from the shoreline. The rescue swimmer maintained visual contact and guided the aircrew to the scene, where they located and hoisted the survivor. She was displaying signs of hypothermia and transported to Paine Field at 1:28 a.m. The aircrew met emergency medical services personnel at the airport and the survivor was transported for further medical treatment.
"We appreciate the expansive search efforts that went into rescuing this individual,” said Lt. Cmdr. Cori F. Sanchez, the aircraft commander. “With the help of the Edmonds Fire Department and Coast Guard Station Seattle, we were able to find her quickly and bring her to EMS. Her splashing in the water was critical in helping the aircrew locate her. It's vital to remember that if in distress, make yourself as visible as possible, by waving arms or using signaling devices when possible.”
Weather conditions at the time of the search were 3 mph winds, 1-foot waves, 57-degree air temperature, and 53-degree water temperature.
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