A Seattle family’s kayak tour to the New Dungeness Lighthouse became more than a simple adventure on Monday afternoon.

 

Fire Chief Steve Vogel of Clallam County Fire District 3 said the family experienced wind gusts upwards of 39 mph while coming back to shore, leaving new kayakers Kelly Renner and her daughter Payton exhausted.

 

Vogel said the leader of their local kayak tour company decided they should stay on Graveyard Spit, on the hook of Dungeness Spit, and wait while the others sought rescue.

 

Two kayakers, Don Rice and Tim Hickey, paddled to the Three Crabs Restaurant, where they contacted the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard contacted the fire department at 4:53 p.m. for assistance and fire crews responded with an inflatable boat to rescue the mother and daughter.

 

Vogel said the rescue went well as wind conditions subsided by launch time and all were safe and reunited at the Oyster House boat launch in Dungeness at 6:11 p.m. He advises people always check the weather forecast before going out on the water in any vehicle.