WARRENTON, Ore. – Coast Guard crews rescued a man and are searching for a second potential person in the water after a vessel capsized north of North Jetty off Tillamook Bay, Thursday.
A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay pulled the man, who was reportedly unconscious, from the water and transferred him to emergency medical personnel waiting at the station, while an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria and an additional boatcrew from Station Tillamook continue to search.
The man was reportedly transferred from EMS to an emergency medical evacuation helicopter and taken to Tillamook Regional Hospital.
“In an environment where every second counts, our crews are continuing to search for the second possible missing person,” said Chief Warrant Officer Kristen Auer, operation unit controller at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. “If anyone has any additional information or knowledge regarding the owner of a 15 to 18-foot beige fiberglass vessel that was expected to be operating in the area, please contact the Coast Guard at 503-861-6211.”
Station Tillamook Bay personnel received the initial report of the capsized vessel from a bystander on the beach, notified Sector Columbia River watchstanders around 12:38 p.m. and launched a boatcrew in response.
Sea conditions in the search area were reported as 4-foot swells, increasing to 8-foot swells, with a water temperature of 60 degrees, an air temperature of 55 degrees and a 500-yard visibility.