SAN MATEO, Calif. -- Eight people were rescued from a sinking canoe north of Coyote Point Harbor Saturday afternoon, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office said.
Just after noon, the sheriff's Marine Unit learned that an outrigger canoe was sinking about a mile away from shore. The support float attached to the side of the boat's main hull, also known as an outrigger, had apparently broken off, said Deputy Rebecca Rosenblatt, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office.
In attempts to stay above water, the eight people who had been on board were hanging onto both their sinking boat and another outrigger canoe, Rosenblatt said.
The boaters were brought back to shore and treated for minor injuries, such as abrasions and possible hypothermia, but no one needed to be taken to the hospital.
The sheriff's office reminded the public to wear life jackets, wet suits and other gear as needed when boating.
"A day out on the water can be a lot of fun," the agency cautioned, "but only when done so safely."
Copyright 2014 - San Francisco Chronicle
McClatchy-Tribune News Service