Stranded rafters being lifted to safety by a National Park Service Helicopter. (Image source: GCNP)
Grand Canyon (NAZ Today)- At approximately 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24th, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an 18-foot raft that was stranded on the rock garden at Crystal Rapid. The private rafting party had worked for three hours to free the boat themselves with no success so they contact the National Park Service for assistance.
Park Rangers flew over the site of the stranded party and confirmed the location of the boat and that there were three passengers who were unable to get to dry land. Due to the time constraints presented by deteriorating weather conditions, a decision was made not to attempt a water rescue. Instead, the three passengers were lifted one-at-a-time by helicopter and transported to shore via short-haul operation. Once on shore, the individuals were able to join the rest of their party and spend a dry night until weather conditions improved enough to allow rangers to retrieve their boat.
On Thursday, additional personnel and equipment were flown to a landing zone near the rapid. After the park’s Zodiac rescue boat was inflated and made ready, rangers motored out to the stranded raft, unloaded the remaining gear and then rocked the boat free of the rock garden. It was then brought to shore to be re-united with its passengers and crew; and by 4:30 p.m., they were on their way down river.
No injuries to passengers or crew were reported.
This is a perfect example of professional service, critical thinking, and execution. Haven done the tip in 2008, we experienced the same issue with one of our 18 footers. It certainly is easy to get lax after passing the ‘big hole’ on Crystal which gives a very false sense of security. You really need to travel far right or far left …RIGHT AWAY! So haven gone through the same experience, I can admire the difficulty for the crews, as well as the rescuers. If anyone ever complains about the “process” or the “cost”, this is what your money goes too! The crews at the NPS are by far the best in the world at what they do. I am a firefighter, flight paramedic, and swiftwater rescue instructor, and I tip my hat off to those who dedicate their energies into providing a safe experience for the travelers of the Canyon! You guys and gals have a thankless job, as do I and reading stories like these only affirm the appreciation for your service and your dedication to the job. Heck, it’s the best job in the world right? Kudos to the NPS, and to the trip leader in making the call for assistance. Knowing what you can and cannot do is really the challenge, so good on ya. Cheers, Eric Albert Red Deer, Alberta Canada.
In response to Eric Albert’s comment:
My son was at the oars on Crystal and was thrown out of the boat when it tipped on its side at the hole. He was neither lax, nor had a false sense of security, for he was “swimming” (as was one of the oars) and, therefore, could not avoid the rock garden. I, too, have been through Crystal Rapids and still can remember its ferocity and the technical difficulty in mastering a safe passage through it. So when I got the news of his mishap, I was shaken. But you are absolutely right about the wonderful job NPS rescue crews perform. My heartfelt appreciation to them. Also, my son had participated in many a land rescue and/or recovery while working for NPS at the Grand Canyon. This time he got to experience it from a different viewpoint. Yes, they are, indeed, the “best in the world”! Thank you, thank you, thank you NPS rescuers for a job well done!!! East Glacier Park, Montana