Coast Guard rescues fisherman before vessel sank off Harbor, Ore.

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/06/2018 06:19 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

June 6, 2018
U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Public Affairs Office
Office: 206-220-7237
After hours: 206-605-4817

 

A Coast Guard crew aboard a 29-foot Response Boat-Small II from Coast Guard Station Chetco River assist a fisherman with his flooding vessel off the Chetco River entrance, Ore., June 6, 2018. A Coast Guard crew member boarding the flooding vessel with a portable dewater pump, but evacuated along with the fisherman after dewatering attempts failed. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Chetco River. The 29-foot commercial fishing vessel Roni J sinks off the Chetco River entrance, Ore., June 6, 2018. The owner and operator of the vessel had contacted the Coast Guard for assistance with the flooding, but was safely removed from the vessel after dewater attempts failed. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Chetco River. The 29-foot commercial fishing vessel Roni J sinks off the Chetco River entrance, Ore., June 6, 2018. The vessel sunk in water with an aproximate depth of 216 feet, and on scene Coast Guard boat crews reported minimal pollution and debris. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Chetco River.

Coast Guard rescues fisherman before vessel sank off Harbor, Ore.

NORTH BEND, Ore. — Coast Guard boat crews rescued a fisherman from his vessel before it sank about two and a half miles west of the Chetco River entrance, Wednesday.

One of the two boat crews from Coast Guard Station Chetco River removed the fisherman from the vessel and safely transported him back to shore after dewatering attempts failed.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend and at the station were first notified around 10 a.m. when the fisherman requested assistance over VHF channel 16. He reported his 29-foot commercial fishing vessel, the Roni J, was flooding and the onboard dewatering pumps were unable to keep up with the rising water.

Two station boat crews launched in response, one crew aboard a 29-foot Response Boat-Small II and the other aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat. 

Once on scene, a station member boarded the fishing vessel along with a portable dewatering pump. They were able to start the pump, but at one point the water shifted, forcing them to relocate, and they were unable to find a new spot before the water had risen too high. 

The fisherman reported that the water may have been coming in through the vessel's shaft seal.

No report of injuries. A light fuel sheen and some debris was reported in the water. The boat crews worked to remove as much of the debris as possible.

The vessel sank in water with a depth of approximately 216 feet and with a max potential of 60 gallons of fuel aboard.

-USCG-