A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Sector Columbia River’s Air Station Astoria, Ore., hoists a man from a life raft after his vessel sank approximately 25 miles west of Ilwaco, Wash., July 14, 2013. The vessel’s operator claims the vessel struck an unknown object and began taking on water.
ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard rescued a man after his fishing vessel sank approximately 25 miles west of Ilwaco, Wash., Sunday.
Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Astoria received a call from the only man aboard the 36-foot fishing vessel Charlie & Carol at approximately 11:30 p.m., Saturday, stating the vessel was taking on water. He estimated more than 400 gallons of water aboard the ship and reported that his pump was unable to keep up with the water coming in.
Sector Columbia River launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco.
The helicopter crew arrived on scene and lowered a rescue swimmer into the water. Risking his life, the swimmer climbed aboard the listing vessel and helped the man abandon the vessel into a life raft.
The helicopter crew lowered a rescue basket and hoisted the man and swimmer to the helicopter.
The man was transported to Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash. He is suspected of being intoxicated but is refusing to submit to alcohol breath testing. He is being charged with boating under the influence.
The 47-foot motor lifeboat crew arrived on scene and verified the vessel sank completely.
The vessel’s operator claims the vessel struck an unknown object and began taking on water, though the official cause of the sinking has not been determined.
For additional information, please contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Littlejohn at 816-582-1725.