Coast Guard rescues 10 from raft taking on water in Bellingham Bay

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Coast Guard rescued seven children and three adults from a raft that started taking on water in the area of Portage Island in Bellingham Tuesday night.

The Coast Guard said all seven children were wearing life jackets, but there were none for the three adults to wear as they were rescued by a boat crew aboard a 45-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Bellingham.

A watchstander at Station Bellingham received a phone call from a woman aboard the raft at 6:10 p.m., who said their raft was taking on water off of Point Francis on Portage Island. The station immediately launched a boat crew to help.

"This rescue is a good reminder that life jackets are always essential regardless how safe and harmless an activity seems," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Brazier, chief duty officer, Sector Puget Sound command center.

No injuries were reported.

Cox Media Group