This happened today while I was on base.
http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/21/117243/
Press Release Date: May 9, 2006
Contact: Lt. j.g. Justin Denton
Coast Guard Sector North Bend, Ore.
541-756-9214
THREE DEAD AFTER BOAT CAPSIZES NEAR COOS BAY, ORE.
(***"None were wearing lifejackets."*** My Note)
SEATTLE - Three people are dead after a 17-foot boat they were on capsized south of Coos Bay, Ore., this morning.
About 7:30 a.m., the Coast Guard received a call from a man on shore who found the boat on the beach near the south jetty.
Coast Guard Station Coos Bay dispatched a mobile land unit and a 47-foot motor lifeboat and Coast Guard Sector North Bend, Ore., launched an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
About 8:30 a.m., the mobile land until located a man and woman in the ocean near the beach. The helicopter located a second man off shore and deployed a rescue swimmer who hoisted him into the helicopter at about 8:55 a.m. None were wearing lifejackets.
All three were transported to awaiting emergency medical technicians on the beach where they were pronounced dead. The Coast Guard has verified they were the only people aboard the boat and has called off the search.
Names of the individuals are being withheld.
There are no photos or video available.
Weather conditions this morning were seas of 8-to-10 feet, winds of 9 mph and a water temperature of 52 degrees.
The Coast Guard reminds boaters that lifejackets greatly increase the chance of survival during a maritime accident. Sixty-four percent of the people who died in 2005 in Northwest boating accidents were not wearing lifejackets. Eight out of nine people in Washington State that died in 2005 boating accidents drowned without having a lifejacket.
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*sigh* The "it can't happen to me" syndrome. Lifejackets aren't fashionable, they are uncomfortable, they are blah, blah, blah. Maybe in the old days, but no more. God rest their souls. Thanks, Coast Guard, for being there. Sad job you had to do today.
Applied to take a military cruise up the Columbia during Rose festival, but got a letter yesterday saying that there were very few military ships this year and priority was going to CG Auxiliary members who wanted to ride. Hope you got selected if you applied!
I never get underway without being up to snuff re CG rules. Sorry for these folks but they apparently were inexperienced.
BTTT