Authorities have identified one of the two men found dead in Tomales Bay on Sunday, Aug. 30.
The body of Casey Flynn Melia, a 36-year-old from San Francisco, was found near Hog Island. The National Park Service recovered his body and brought him to Sacramento Landing where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Melia and another man reportedly left their group at a Tomales Bay campsite in a canoe late Saturday night, Aug. 29, to view bioluminescence in the area.
The Marin County Fire Department first received a call at about 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning from a friend reporting them missing. The department coordinated with the United States Coast Guard and other agencies to begin searching for the two men, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Richard Uranga.
The body of the boater who remains unidentified was found first by the Coast Guard. He was unresponsive in the water near Toms Point, according to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to Bodega Bay where he was pronounced dead. The Sonoma County Coroner’s Office had not released his name Monday afternoon.
Melia’s body was found about a mile farther into Tomales Bay, near Hog Island.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office, National Park Service and Coast Guard are coordinating investigations to determine the official cause and manner of death for both men.
Pamalah MacNeily, co-owner of Blue Waters Kayaking, warned against attempting to view bioluminescence in Tomales Bay without proper preparation.
Operating since 1984, Blue Waters Kayaking leads tours to view the light emitted from dinoflagellates. MacNeily said these tours are typically conducted when the moon is not visible as moonlight will block the bioluminescence.
MacNeily said dinoflagellates live in Tomales Bay year-round. They collect sunlight during the day and emit flashes of light when anything gets close to them.
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She said many people call Blue Waters Kayaking to ask how to see the bioluminescence on their own, but MacNeily suggested viewers ensure safety precautions before embarking to see the phenomenon. One of the main considerations she mentioned was securing a proper vessel.
She said that specific types of kayak are recommended for this type of travel. She discouraged using recreational or inflatable kayaks and canoes.
“There are lots of boats I wouldn’t use in Tomales Bay that are people-powered,” MacNeily said.
She also mentioned the company strategically checks weather conditions before embarking on bioluminescence tours.
She said Blue Waters Kayaking was not conducting tours that night due to the full moon and big wind reported earlier in the day — she mentioned it seemed the wind died down later that night and would likely not have been notable.
MacNeily said she feels it’s her responsibility as a professional to warn people of the danger associated with traveling out to see the bioluminescence.
“Tomales Bay is no joke,” MacNeily said. “It’s cold water.”
You can reach Staff Writer Kyle Garcia Takata at [email protected].
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