Kayaker rescued off Falmouth

November 28, 2008 12:56 PM Email| Comments (7)| Text size – +

By Casey Ramsdell, Globe Correspondent

A 29-year-old man was rescued this morning after he fell out of his kayak in choppy waters in Falmouth's Waquoit Bay.

The man, who was visiting family for Thanksgiving, was rescued about 10 a.m. after treading in the chilly water for 30 minutes, said Lieutenant Bruce Girouard of the Falmouth Fire Department. The department received a phone call from the man’s friend, who was rowing in a separate kayak.

The man, whose name was not released, was treated for hypothermia at Falmouth Hospital, Girouard said.

After falling out of the kayak, the man was unable to get back in because of weather and wind conditions, he said. There was about 1.5 to 2 feet of chop on the water, and the water temperature was 48 degrees, he said.

“[These] conditions were not ideal for a kayak,” Girouard said.

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7 comments so far...

They're not ideal condtions if you have no idea what you're doing and don't even know the most basic skills of self-rescue. If he had those skills, his partner could have helped him get his kayak righted and drained, and helped him get in it. Given how cold it was out, the water temp, the conditions and his experience level, he simply should not have been out and should be charged for the rescue. I hope he realizes how lucky he is.

Posted by Murph November 28, 08 03:58 PM

He should pay for the rescue costs. Maybe then he would learn a lesson.

Posted by sceesic November 28, 08 04:27 PM

"after treading water in the chilly water"

I really miss the times when the Globe had editors who would have caught a sentence like.

Posted by heyduke November 28, 08 04:59 PM

Come on. It wasn't HIS fault it was COLD out. He doesn't control the weather. HE IS THE VICTIM. He should sue the taxpayers for HIS inconvenience. I am sure there is some way a lawyer could twist this and put the blame on someone else.

People are pathetic. They should have left his stupid ass out there. This wasn't an "ACCIDENT" it was STUPIDITY. Grow up people and assume some personal responsibility.

Posted by pissedoffatstupidpeople November 28, 08 05:40 PM

How about "thank God he's alive"? What is wrong w/ all of you? You are more worried about the editing skills of the Globe than a man's life?

Posted by P November 28, 08 07:56 PM

Great use of tax dollars. The gov should really make it known that these adventurers can pay for their own rescues.

You want to play, then you can pay. Why should I pay for someone too stupid to know he doesnt have the skill to be where he is. He can pay himself.

Posted by wastedtaxes November 28, 08 09:26 PM

These guys are just ignorant of the potential dangers of cold weather kayaking and obviously lack any required skills. People make mistakes! This could be considered an example of what can happen so everyone will take note and not duplicate these errors.

Posted by Richard M Monroe November 30, 08 04:20 PM