At least 12 people had to be rescued from choppy waters Saturday as gusty winds triggered a small craft advisory from the National Weather Service for the San Francisco Bay.
“Please consider land-based recreational activities today,” the San Francisco Fire Department said in a tweet.
THE @NWSBayArea HAS ISSUED A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR THE #SF BAY.
CURRENTLY, WIND GUSTS ARE READING OVER 30 MPH AND GREATER.
PLEASE CONSIDER LAND-BASED RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TODAY.
12 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RESCUED IN OUR COASTAL AREAS BY #SFFD AND @USCGNorCal TODAY- LUCKILY…
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 8, 2023
The rescues involved two kite surfers near San Francisco’s Point Lobos, and 10 kayakers.
Jon Baxter, a fire department spokesman, told Bay City News, “It’s unbelievable, why would anybody go out there? No matter the skill level that you’re at, today’s not a day to be out on the bay.”
At around 1 p.m., a group of eight kayakers — two adults and six children ages 15, 14, 14, 12, 12 and 11 — were rescued near Oracle Park in San Francisco. Around 4 p.m., two other kayakers were rescued off Pier 70, about a mile to the south.
The National Weather Service advisory was in effect through Sunday afternoon, and was also expected to be in effect on Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wind gusts reached 30 miles per hour on Saturday.