PORT RICHEY, Fla. — First responders are reminding the public to use caution when heading out on the water after Port Richey’s police and fire departments were called to assist two kayakers in distress in the Gulf of Mexico this past weekend.
- Kayakers rescued about a half mile from shore
- First responders say have a plan, check weather, check safety equipment
- More Pasco County stories
“They were trying to paddle in to get away from the storm, but they just wore themselves out,” said Chief Gerard DeCanio, head of both the city’s police and fire departments, talking about the rescue.
“They couldn't fight the currents, as strong as what they were, especially with the wind pushing,” said Port Richey Fire Dept. Captain Thomas Quinn.
Quinn said it was raining heavily when he and Officer Joe Tactuk headed into the gulf on the police department’s boat to find the kayakers.
"Unfortunately, if you're trapped out in it and you're not prepared for it, it can definitely catch you buy surprise," Quinn explained. "In these kayakers' case, I don't think they were really prepared for the thunderstorm to push in that quick."
The pair was found about a half mile from shore. Quinn said they were evaluated once back on land and didn’t need to be transported to the hospital.
He urged anyone planning to spend time on the water to take the proper precautions.
"Have a plan. Check your weather, check your safety equipment,” he said. “Check anything that you are going to use out on the water that can potentially save your life.”
The fire department picked up a new tool just last week that will help the city be prepared for situations like this one: a new boat. It comes with a pump for fighting flames that can be removed to make room for rescue situations.
“It's extremely important because we may not have enough officers available to put the police boat out, but the fire department always has somebody on that's going to be qualified. We're going to make sure everybody gets out in that boat,” said DeCanio.
The $38,000 vessel was purchased with a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.