The Marine 16 returns to Port Townsend with a father and his son who were being pushed away from shore by high winds on Monday afternoon. Bill Beezley/East Jefferson Fire-Rescue

The Marine 16 returns to Port Townsend with a father and his son who were being pushed away from shore by high winds on Monday afternoon. Bill Beezley/East Jefferson Fire-Rescue

Family of five rescued in kayaks near Fort Worden

PORT TOWNSEND — A family of five was rescued this week after strong currents and high winds pushed their kayaks far offshore of Point Wilson.

No one was hurt in the Monday afternoon incident, said Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Department spokesman.

He did not identify the family, citing privacy concerns, saying only that they had recently moved to the area from Florida and were planning to move into a house in Kingston.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Onlookers saw the kayakers, each in individual kayaks, in trouble and called 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers at about 4:45 p.m., Beezley said.

“They were pretty far offshore,” Beezley said. “They were being blown east by the wind and currents.”

Beezley gave this account:

East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Marine 16 was launched after emergency dispatchers received word.

The family by then had split into two groups: the father and his 8-year old son, and the mother and her older son and daughter.

While Marine 16 was on its way, a civilian vessel met the group of three.

The mother and older son, whose age was not available, declined help, but the daughter asked for aid, so the boaters picked her up with her kayak and dropped her off at Point Hudson.

When Marine 16 arrived off Point Wilson, the younger son, who was 8, had flipped over, lost his paddle and was unable to right his kayak.

The boy’s father dragged him onto his kayak and held onto him until firefighters could bring him aboard.

Marine 16 delivered the father and younger son to the dock at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at Fort Worden State Park, where medics evaluated and released them.

Marine 16 then eturned to the mother and older son, who by then had decided that they did need assistance.

Both were brought on board and taken to Point Wilson, uninjured.

More in News

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday in the uptown neighborhood. Behind are goat wranglers Lindsey Kotzebue and Amber Langley of Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Market opens

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual… Continue reading

Kelly Kidwell, a local business owner and property developer, is purchasing Rite Bros. with the intention of building a long-term sustainable business that will expand aviation access in the area. Citizen Air, based at William R. Fairchild International Airport, will offer charter flights and fractional aircraft ownership. The possibility of scheduled flights could be in the distant future. Kidwell is shown with his Poodle-Bernese mountain dog, Porter. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen Air aims to expand access

New Rite Bros. owner planning for growth

Health officer: Disease numbers low, but cuts affecting programs

Additional measles case located in Washington state

Customers check out at The Pine and Eight, a local goods-only grocery store co-owned by SisterLand Farms and Northwest Beach Work. This store, which recently opened at 511 W. Eighth St. in Port Angeles, is an experiment testing out the viability of a farmer- and artisan-owned store selling Washington-only products. (Eli Smith)
Farmer-focused grocery store opens in Port Angeles

Business prioritizing local products, relationships

Garage destroyed in Lower Elwha structure fire

A weekend structure fire resulted in the total loss… Continue reading

Ground-breaking ceremony for new school set Saturday

The Port Angeles School District will break ground for… Continue reading