Coast Guard Rescues Man, Dog From Sailboat Near Hercules

HERCULES, CA — A man and his dog were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard early Monday when the man's sailboat ran aground near Hercules.

The boater used his VHF radio to contact the Coast Guard around 11:50 p.m. Sunday, relaying that the motor on his 24-foot sailboat was not working, and he was drifting toward rocks.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to the scene.

The helicopter crew lowered a rescue swimmer to the scene, then hoisted the man and his dog up and onto the helicopter.

The pair were flown to safety at the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport.

Once on dry ground, the man reported no medical concerns for he or his dog, the Coast Guard said.

"This case was successful thanks to the mariner having working communication equipment and quickly contacting the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16," said Capt. Howard Wright, the Sector San Francisco deputy commander. "We encourage all mariners to confirm that their safety equipment is operational before getting on the water."