Four Men Trapped by Rising Tide Rescued
U. S. Coast Guard
November 15, 2004
SEATTLE - The Coast Guard rescued four sport fishermen who became trapped on a rock by the rising tide Sunday afternoon near Oceanside, Ore.
Coast Guard Station Tillamook Bay received a call from a bystander who reported seeing four people trapped on Three Arches Rocks, about 30-yards from shore.
A 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Tillamook Bay and an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Group/Air Station Astoria, Ore., were launched to rescue the men.
Nestucca Ore., Fire and Rescue and the crew of the motor lifeboat determined rescue by boat too dangerous due to location of the rocks and sea conditions.
The trapped men were surrounded by 12-foot seas which crashed over the rock repeatedly soaking them with 50-degree water.
The Jayhawk lowered a rescue swimmer who helped each of the men into a rescue basket. They were then hoisted into the helicopter. The four men were flown to Station Tillamook Bay where they were examined by local emergency medical technicians and released.
The Coast Guard would like to remind everyone taking part in coastal activities to check local weather and tide condition before heading out. Weather and tide conditions can quickly change on the coast, frequently trapping people on rocks and cliff faces. Being trapped in these hard to reach areas can make rescue difficult, and can cause extreme injury or death.
For more information on the dangers associated with climbing on cliffs and rock outcroppings contact the 13th Coast Guard District public affairs office at (206) 220-7237.
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