Coast Guard responds to capsized vessel on Umpqua River, Ore.

News Release

October 25, 2018 U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Public Affairs Office Office: (206) 220-7237 After Hour: (206) 605-4817

Coast Guard responds to capsized vessel on Umpqua River, Ore.

WINCHESTER BAY, Ore. — Coast Guard crews responded to a 16-foot aluminum boat that capsized with four people aboard at the mouth of the Umpqua River, Thursday.

A 47-Foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Umpqua River rescued three men found clinging to the capsized vessel, the fourth passenger, a woman, was found unresponsive, medevaced by an MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter crew from Coast Guard Sector North Bend and taken to Lower Umpqua Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

At 4:43 p.m. the people aboard the aluminum boat called the crew at Station Umpqua River. They stated their boat had become disabled in Half Moon Bay, and due to the weather, they were dragging anchor toward the mouth of the river. Aboard the boat was a husband and wife, both 75, their son and their son's friend, who are both reported In their 40s.

The station lost communication with the people aboard the boat, but shortly after the station tower watchstander saw the boat capsize in the heavy sea conditions of the Umpqua River Bar.

A 47-Foot MLB crew and Dolphin helicopter crew were conducting training nearby at the time and responded. The boat crew arrived on scene to find the three men clinging to the capsized boat and pulled them out of the water. Aside from being cold, all three were reported in good condition.

The woman was located between the boat and the jetty where there was a high amount of debris, but the 47-Foot MLB crew was unable to get to her. The Dolphin helicopter crew that had been apart of the training did not have a rescue swimmer aboard and was unable to hoist, but a second Dolphin helicopter crew was launched from sector and able to reach her.

As of 3:25 p.m., conditions at the Umpqua River Bar were reported as 6 to 8-foot swells, upwards of 14-foot breaking waves, light and variable winds, and a visibility of 3 miles.

-USCG-