Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Mar. 03, 2008

Contact:  LTJG Isaac Mahar(251) 441-5999

Overdue Kayaker Rescued in Escambia Bay 

Mobile, Ala - Coast Guard Sector Mobile assists with rescue of 55 year old man in capsized kayak in Escambia Bay, Fla.; kayaker picked by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Dept. at approximately 10:00 p.m. CST Sunday night.

Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a call on the evening of March 2 from a concerned spouse that her 55 year old husband, a Chuck Folkers, was overdue from his regular kayak trip on Escambia Bay.

Coast Guard Sector Mobile created search patterns and launched a 25' response boat from Station Pensacola and a helicopter from Air Station New Orleans, and began searching along his last known route. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Santa Rose County Sheriff's Dept., and Escambia County also assisted with the search. 

At approximately 9:30 p.m. CST Sunday evening, Lieutenant David Vicks, with the Coast Guard, was able to reach Chuck Folkers via a cell phone and obtain his position via GPS triangulation and the man's description. At approximately 10:00 p.m. CST the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Dept. boat located Chuck Folkers and returned him and his kayak to the original boat launch.

Despite being in sixty-five degree water for more than six hours, Churck Folkers was recovered in good condition and was able to return home safely without medical treatment.

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U.S. Coast Guard - Saving lives since 1790