Photo by Heather Martin. Taken from the dock at Pacific Choice Seafoods.

A pleasure craft was beached on the west end of Indian Island this morning due to low tides, prompting the Coast Guard to initiate a rescue operation.

Lt. Brian Ward of USCG Sector Humboldt Bay tells the Outpost that tide conditions prevented the Guard from sending its own boats to the beached vessel, which carries two adults and two dogs. Instead, Coast Guard’s helicopter flew out, dropped down a radio and then, after confirming that no one the vessel was in danger, dropped food and water to the boaters, who will wait for the change of tide and — hopefully — carry on with their cruise.

No fuel or other hazardous substances were aboard the boat, Ward said.

High tide is at about 1:30 p.m. Plenty of time to head out and wave to the castaways.