Missing dog in fatal boating accident found three days later on Marin County beach

A bit of positive news emerged from this week’s fatal boating accident at the mouth of Tomales Bay when a dog presumed drowned was found alive Thursday morning on a Marin County beach.

Brian Phidat Ho, 47, of San Jose died Monday when his 13-foot Boston whaler capsized in rough surf at the mouth of Tomales Bay. Two dogs and another man also were in the boat when it overturned. The second man and one of the dogs were recovered shortly afterward by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department.

At 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Marin County firefighters were riding rescue watercraft during a water rescue orientation when they spotted the missing dog, a young yellow Labrador retriever named Yoda. The dog was on Point Reyes National Seashore, not far from where the boat overturned.

“They were hugging the coastline when they saw the dog hunkered down under a rocky outcropping,” Battalion Chief Bret McTigue stated, adding that firefighters went onshore and put a lifejacket on the dog, who was wet and shivering after a few days out in the elements.

Although Yoda displayed no apparent injuries, the Marin Humane Society evaluated her before releasing her to a family member. McTigue said Yoda did well at the Tomales Fire Station, warming by a fireplace after enjoying her fill of food and water.

You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 707-521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com.