Kayaker Rescued From Island in Jamaica Bay After Spelling ‘Help’ w/ Sticks

Though we live in a time when social distancing is encouraged, one man found himself so isolated he was forced to call for help.

According to the Gothamist, a kayaker who was missing for twelve hours was rescued Thursday from a remote island near Queens. The 36-year-old man, whose identity has not been made public, was found by the NYPD Aviation Unit after he started a fire and used sticks to spell out “HELP” on the beach. The NYPD says the man was located on Ruffle Bar Island in Jamaica Bay, after he was reported missing at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities posted a video of the kayaker signaling for help on the beach. Moments later, the helicopter lands and he is approached by an officer. Gothamist reports he was transported to Floyd Bennett Field, where he underwent a medical evaluation. The man did not report any injuries and was not hospitalized.

“It was very unlikely that I would run into anyone. It’s a socially distant activity,” the kayaker told CBS 2’s Ali Bauman via phone. 

The man asked not to be named, but said he was a teacher from Forest Hills and an avid outdoorsman. He told CBS 2 he had gone kayaking Thursday morning when the weather was calm. But by the time he attempted to leave the island, the winds had picked up and his kayak began to sink. The man said he was forced to swim back to the island and wait for help.