PORT ANGELES — A Coast Guard aircrew worked with emergency personnel to rescue a stranded duck hunter from a sandbar in the Nisqually Flats over the weekend.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles safely hoisted and transferred the man to Lacey Fire Rescue personnel Saturday night.
“Inland or out to sea, it’s always important to check the weather before you head out as flood warnings and flood watches are in affect all throughout the Puget Sound region,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jennifer Moreau, a member of the situation unit at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.
“Heavy rain combined with existing flooding and rapid runoff can lead rising waters.”
Watchstanders at Sector Puget Sound received the initial call from the hunter’s sister-in-law stating he was stuck in the area east of Lacey at around 7:26 p.m.
After local agencies were unable to reach the hunter from either water or land, using both shallow draft craft and rescue rafts, the Coast Guard aircrew was launched.
The hunter originally departed from the Nisqually South Puget Sound Wildlife Area boat launch. The retrieval of his boat will be the owner’s responsibility.
