November 22—Seattle Firefighters rescued a struggling swimmer in the ship canal early this morning. At 12:51 a.m., a 911 caller reported the swimmer was halfway across the canal in the 1400 block of NE Boat Street. The swimmer did not have a floatation device but was able to communicate with the caller.

A Seattle Police Officer was the first to arrive and threw the man a life ring to help keep him afloat. Engine Company 17 arrived and was able to maneuver the swimmer to a nearby swim step and pull him out of the water.

The 31 year old male was alert, oriented and showed no signs of trauma. He was able to walk to the Medic Unit. The man was hypothermic and had been in the water for an undetermined amount of time.

The swimmer was taken to Harborview Medical Center to be treated for the hypothermia.