CSLEA ACWO members respond to save the lives of one adult and two children

“First and foremost, kudos to the victims of this capsized boat who had signaling devices at the ready, and were all wearing their life jackets which assisted them in surviving in rough, cold water.  Thank you to our CSLEA/ACWO members, CDFW Warden Gonsalves and Warden Roth for responding to the emergency call for help and coming to the rescue of these three individuals.  I imagine they are forever grateful, and we are proud of your response.”

– CSLEA  President Alan Barcelona

REDWOOD CITY – On June 28, 2025, two California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers, Wardens Jacob Gonsalves and Cameron Roth, were patrolling San Francisco Bay aboard their SAFE boat conducting compliance checks on anglers off of Alameda. The two officers heard a distress call over marine radio relayed by the U.S. Coast Guard and originating from a sailboat that had capsized near Redwood City with three people on board – one adult and two children.

The wildlife officers responded to the Coast Guard and were informed no other rescue boats or assets were close by. Wardens Gonsalves and Roth piloted 15 miles through rough water and three-foot swells fueled by 10- to 15-mph winds to reach the capsized sailboat with the three boaters in the water clinging to their overturned vessel.

The two wildlife officers safely extracted the three from the water.  Those rescued were wearing life jackets and estimated they had been floating in the bay for approximately an hour. They had some minor injuries and were shaken by the experience.

A Coast Guard helicopter arrived next on scene and helped coordinate additional responding units. The three boaters were transferred to a fire rescue boat for additional medical attention and transported back to Redwood City.