Pair of boaters rescued from ruins of Berkeley pier during high winds

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Two boaters were rescued Saturday from the ruins of a Berkeley pier after high winds beset their boat, U.S. Coast Guard officials.

At 11 a.m. a good Samaritan got in touch with the Coast Guard to tell them that two boaters were stranded because winds had pushed their boat up against some pilings west of the Berkeley Marina.

A Coast Guard boat crew and helicopter crew responded and the two stranded boaters were hoisted into the helicopter.

Neither boater was injured, Coast Guard officials said.

Boaters are urged by Coast Guard officials to operate their vessels within their skill set and during high winds only if necessary.