The Coast Guard found a missing kayaker Tuesday after an unmanned kayak was found in the water near Cuttyhunk Island.
A good Samaritan contacted
A 29-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Menemsha and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Cape Cod, as well as the Buzzards Bay Task Force, launched to search the area after receiving the initial report about the adrift kayak.
At about 10 a.m., 48-year-old Robert Kaminski called watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England and reported he was sailing Monday night to Cuttyhunk Island from Gooseberry Neck Island when a wave knocked him out of his kayak.
He said he tried to stay with the kayak as long as possible, but the seas were too rough. He swam to Nashawena Island and fell asleep from exhaustion. When he awoke, he went to a house on the island to let people know he was ok.
“Kaminski did two very important things,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Shannon Helly, a command duty officer for Sector Southeastern New England. “He wore his life jacket and called to let us know he was ok. We would like to remind paddlecraft users to label your kayak with your name and contact information, and have a reliable means of communication.”
The aircrew medevaced Kaminski to Barnstable Municipal Airport to awaiting Emergency Medical Services to be transported to Cape Cod Hospital.