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May 13, 2008

Surfer swept out to sea off Matunuck rescued

A 19-year-old surfer was rescued by the Coast Guard today after being swept about two miles out into rough seas in 34-knot winds off Matunuck Beach.

Natalie Baggesen of the village of Ashaway in Hopkinton was getting farther and farther from the shore around noon, according to a Coast Guard news release.

State Department of Environmental Management and South Kingstown police personnel helped Station Point Judith's 47-foot motor lifeboat get to Baggesen. Crew took her to Station Point Judith's boat house where Narragansett emergency medical services evaluated her.

"We have an offshore wind right now, which is kind of unusual for this area," Senior Chief Petty Officer Chad Curth, officer in charge of Station Point Judith, said in the statement. "Normally, the wind blows surfers toward the shore, but the conditions now from the storm blew her out to sea."

Winds have been coming from the northeast today, and area coastal temps are in the low 50s.

The worst weather passed through Monday night with even stronger winds and higher seas. But the Coast Guard said that although the worst is past, "rough seas and cold water temperatures still pose a safety threat."

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney with reports from Journal staff writer Donita Naylor

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 5:07 PM | Permalink

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