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Coast Guard Rescuing Kiteboarders, Windsurfers In Distress Off San Francisco's Crissy Field

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A U.S. Coast Guard crew from San Francisco helped bring 25 kiteboarders and windsurfers in distress in the waters off of Crissy Field to safety Sunday evening.

Between 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., the Coast Guard launched multiple vessels and assisted 25 individuals partaking in watersports just north of Crissy Field who were in distress.

Due to the low water temperatures experienced in San Francisco Bay the Coast Guard is reminding windsurfers and kitesurfers to wear a wetsuit of sufficient thickness to prevent the onset of hypothermia.

The Coast Guard's San Francisco Sector Commander Capt. Greg Stump said, "It was critical to locate and recover every disabled kiteboarder and windsurfer as San Francisco Bay is the gateway to seven busy commercial ports frequented by large ship traffic."

The Coast Guard is also urging all watersport enthusiasts to wear a lifejacket and carry a VHF marine radio when taking to the water.

© Copyright 2014 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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