San Francisco (Dec. 27) - A San Francisco bar pilot and the crew of a ship berthed in the waters off San Francisco International Airport rescued on Wednesday a man floating in the water nearby.
Pilot Mike Sweeney was assisting the captain and crew of the Sophie Oldendorff with docking procedures when a crew member stationed near the bow heard a man crying for help and spotted the victim floating in the water underneath Pier 94.
Capt. Sweeney immediately radioed nearby tugs for help and delicately moved the 41,428-ton ship a few feet off the berth so crews could throw the trapped man a life ring. Crew members hauled the victim out of the water and placed him on the pier, tending to him until paramedics arrived.
The rescue was performed quickly and without further injury to anyone involved despite a flood tide that generated strong waves at the pier.
"I was amazed at the heroic action of the crew of the Sophie Oldendorff who by placing themselves between the ship and the pier risked their lives to save this man," said Capt. Sweeney.
The man was neither a member of the ship's crew or the team helping to berth the Sophie Olendorff at Pier 94. San Francisco police are investigating the incident.