Searchers discovered the body of a kayaker who disappeared on Jan. 27 while crabbing in Tomales Bay. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Clinton Yoshio Koga, a 39-year-old resident of Brentwood, in Contra Costa County.
Mr. Koga had launched his kayak from Lawson’s Landing, heading out to check on crab pots he had set earlier in the day. At around 6:30 p.m., a friend reported him missing after losing sight of his kayak from the shore. Rescuers from Marin and Sonoma Counties, the United States Coast Guard and the National Park Service spent two days searching with two helicopters and several rescue boats before suspending their efforts.
Last Wednesday, a volunteer search group called California Recovery Divers discovered Mr. Koga’s body about 100 yards from Lawson’s Landing, not far from where the bay meets the Pacific. Authorities advise kayakers to wear lifejackets in that area, where the tides can be treacherous.
According to two GoFundMe campaigns started on behalf of his family, Mr. Koga was the father of a 16-year-old daughter, Kailey, and a 6-year-old son, Nohea. He was a longtime employee of Pacific Gas & Electric and an avid camper, surfer and kayaker. Mr. Koga, who died just days short of his 40th birthday, was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. “Clint worked with me his entire career at PG&E,” one former colleague wrote on one of the campaign sites.
“He was one of the best workers I’ve ever had the pleasure to know, excelled at everything he tried, and never failed to make me smile.”