The United States Coast Guard was called on to rescue a stranded windsurfer on Wednesday off the coast of Rhode Island.
Watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England's command center received a call at 3:20 p.m. from a windsurfer who said his partner became stranded on rocks near the Point Judith Harbor of Refuge after her surfboard failed.
Coast Guard officials immediately launched a response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Point Judith.
When the Coast Guard crew arrived on scene, officials said they were unable to get close enough for the windsurfer to safely make it aboard the response boat. A crewman was sent into the water and swam to the woman, then safely brought her back to the boat.
"Once we got on scene, we knew we had to act fast because she was most likely hypothermic," said Petty Officer Christopher DiGiovanni. "We had about 15 yards between the bow and the jetty to send a surface swimmer out to safely assist her from the rocks. With our knowledge, experience, and training we were able to get her safely to our boat and transfer her care to emergency services personnel waiting on shore.”
The woman is reported to be in good condition.
