Marine rescue units from North Whidbey Fire and Rescue pulled in a stranded kayaker from off the shore of Fort Ebey State Park Saturday afternoon, according to Battalion Chief Daniel Horton.

The fire department received the call around 1:12 p.m. Dec. 10 that a kayaker, around 200 yards offshore, was unable to fight the headwind to get back to land. He was holding onto a crab buoy, uninjured, but unable to move forward.

Horton said the Coast Guard had a helicopter in the area and responded, sending in a search-and-rescue swimmer to make sure the kayaker did not need any immediate medical attention.

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue launched a boat miles away at the Cornet Bay marina and pulled the kayaker to within 15 feet of the shoreline, at which point he could paddle to shore, Horton said. Responders from WhidbeyHealth Medical Center evaluated the kayaker, but he refused transportation to the hospital because he was not hurt, just a little cold.

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue’s Marine Search and Rescue team is an all-volunteer unit of island residents with boating experience who train twice a month to assist in emergency situations.