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Boating rules
• All vessels: They must have at least one Coast Guard–approved Type I, II or III life jacket for each person on board. That includes canoes and kayaks. For information about the types of life jackets, go to www.boat-ed.com/wa/handbook/pfds.htm.
• Vessels 16 feet or longer: One Type IV (throwable) Coast Guard–approved personal flotation device must be on board. Canoes and kayaks are exempt.
• Children: Ages 12 and younger must wear a Coast Guard–approved life jacket at all times in a vessel shorter than 19 feet long, unless in a fully enclosed area.
• Personal watercraft: Each person on board and anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a Type I, II or III life jacket.
The Olympian
Pair rescued after skiff overturns in Sound
By Jerre Redecker | The Olympian
A Montesano couple who were without life jackets were fortunate their skiff overturned near a boating community Wednesday.
After launching at Arcadia, north of Hope Island, the pair's skiff tipped over near Boston Harbor.
After the couple spent about 15 minutes in the chilly waters of Puget Sound, firefighter Sarah Boyle and retired firefighter Chris Hamilton joined the rescue in a private power boat, said Bill Terhune, chief of Olympia Fire District 7.
"We're fortunate in this area to have an attentive public who are willing to respond," he said.
The couple was taken to the fire station, where they were "getting warmed up and waiting for their ride from Montesano," Terhune said. He added that they did not appear to be injured, and that everyone should have life jackets for each person on a boat.
The call was received at 7:32 a.m. from the Bayview Drive Northeast area, and the first unit arrived about 12 minutes later, Terhune said. Responders from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office and fire stations launched boats and headed to the scene.
Terhune said his district responds to about two marine incidents a month during the summer.
Jerre Redecker is The Olympian's online city editor. She can be reached at 360-754-5422 or jredecker@theolympian.com.
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