A big rescue operation assisted 12 kayakers, including six children, who ran into trouble in the San Juan Islands Thursday.

The U.S. Coast Guard says a radio call came in on VHF radio, just before 2:00 p.m., from a group of kayakers in distress between Patos and Sucia Islands, just north of Orcas Island.

A 29-foot Coast Guard rescue boat out of Bellingham immediately launched.

That crew was joined by a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Federal Policing – Pacific Shiprider Rescue marine boat crew.

The crew of a Washington State Parks vessel that happened to be patrolling the in the area also responded immediately to help rescue the group of kayakers.

Those vessels soon reached the area and were able to get all 12 kayakers safely to Orcas Island.

No one was hurt.

Six children were among a

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