NORTH BEND, Ore. — A Coast Guard aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Facility Newport rescued a 22-year-old female surfer in distress near Agate Beach State Park, Saturday afternoon.
She was transferred to members of the Lincoln County Fire Department on the beach in good condition.
Lincoln County 911 dispatchers contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend at around 2 p.m. notifying them that a person on the beach reported a surfer unable to make it to shore. The Dolphin aircrew was on patrol nearby and quickly located the distressed surfer.
“We found the female surfer on the rocks and there were other surfers paddling over to try and help her as well,” said Lt. Kevin Shanahan, pilot of the Dolphin helicopter. “We deployed the rescue swimmer and safely hoisted her into the aircraft. We brought her to EMS on the beach and then made sure none of the other surfers were in danger. Anyone surfing in that area should keep their distance from the rocks for their own safety.”
Weather on scene was reported to be 4-to-6 foot seas with a water temperature of 56 degrees and 10-to-15 knot winds.