Two families were on their way back from an overnight kayaking trip off the coast of Washington state when things turned difficult.

That led to the 12 kayakers — including six children — having to radio for help.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a radio report of kayakers in distress between Patos Island and Sucia Island near the Canadian border north of Puget Sound at about 1:50 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, the agency said in a news release.

A Coast Guard crew based in Bellingham, joined by nearby Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Washington State Parks rangers, responded to the distress call, the agency said.

“Officers learned that two families had gone out on an overnight guided kayaking tour and were on their way back when they encountered challenging conditions,” the Royal Canadian Mo

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