Off-duty Coast Guard employee rescues distressed surfer

An off duty coast guard employee rescued a surfer in distress this morning near the Humboldt Bay North Jetty.

Just after 8 a.m. bystanders noticed the surfer struggling and called for help. Coast guard helicopter crew were sent out, along with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Marine Boat and the California Fish and Wildlife Marine Unit.

But before agencies arrived on scene, Sector Humboldt Bay Civilian Search and Rescue Controller, Steven Bluntzer, just so happened to be in the area and jumped in to save the distressed surfer.

Bluntzer said, “I just did what any coastie would do in that situation.”