Teens rescued from rocks off Mendocino Coast

A day of fishing Saturday turned into a helicopter rescue for four teens trapped on rocks along the coast near the Sonoma-Mendocino county line, authorities said.|
RANDI ROSSMANN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A day of fishing for four teens ended Saturday with a helicopter rescue along the coast near the Sonoma-Mendocino county line, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said.

The teens, 15 and 16 years old, had climbed out on rocks earlier in the day but were trapped when the tide came in later that evening, the sheriff’s office said. A 6:40 p.m. call for help launched the sheriff’s helicopter from its hanger at the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.

Yesterday at about 6:40pm, the Sheriff’s Helicopter “Henry-1” was requested by Mendocino Co Fire to help locate and rescue 4 teenagers on the coast near the Sonoma/Mendocino county line. The boys climbed out on some rocks to enjoy a day of fishing in the ocean. Well, while they were focused on fish, they weren’t watching the tide roll in. As the sun was setting they decided to call it a day, only to find they could not get back to safety without having to get into the water. H1 launched from the Sonoma Co Airport and flew to the county line. After the 17 minute flight, the H1 crew located boys. H1 quickly configured the helicopter for a 100’ long line rescue. The crew was able to set up, rescue the 4 boys and get their gear off the rocks all within 7 minutes. We’re happy they stayed put and didn’t put each other at further risk by trying to rescue themselves. Fortunately, nobody was injured. We’re thinking the young men are studying their new tide book as you read this.

Posted by Sonoma Sheriff on Sunday, May 6, 2018

The helicopter crew reached the teens in 17 minutes, dropping a 100-foot rescue line and hoisting the four to safety from their perch just inside Mendocino County within seven minutes, officials said.

The 16-year-olds were from Annapolis and The Sea Ranch, and the 15-year-olds were from Gualala and Point Arena, officials said.

Sheriff’s officials in a Facebook post said no one was injured and that the four did the right thing by staying put and not jumping into the water. Officials also suggested they obtain a book on tide times.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 707-521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter@rossmannreport.

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