Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay press release: 

A Coast Guard aircrew rescued 2 females and a dog just north of Indian Island in southern Arcata Bay Monday night.

At approximately 6:40 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay received a cellphone call from a female stating her, a friend, and a dog were stuck in waist-high mud after their canoe sank.

The helicopter aircrew: Lt. Cmdr. Stan Robinson, Lt. Cameron Welicka, Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Leddon, and Adam Carr launched and arrived on scene approximately one hour later. Carr, the rescue swimmer, deployed and brought the two females and dog aboard.

The survivors were brought to Murray Airfield in Eureka and transferred to local EMS in stable condition.

“Even though you are close to land in the bay proper protection equipment is a good idea,” said Robinson, the aircraft commander. “You never know when you’re going to end up in the water and be in a survival situation.”