Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District
Press
Release
Date: Feb. 4, 2006
Contact: Ensign Nick Barrow
503-240-9311
Petty Officer Mike Zolzer
206-220-7237
MAN AND HIS TWO DOGS SAFE
TODAY AFTER BEING STRANDED ON SKAMANIA ISLAND
PORTLAND, Ore. - A
man and his two dogs are safe today after being stranded on Skamania
Island after his 12-foot boat began to take on water this morning
because of high winds and rough river conditions.
CoastGuard Sector
Portland, Ore., received a report from a Multnomah CountyRiver Patrol at
7:00 a.m., that a boat was taking on water andattempting to reach
Skamania Island. A Multnomah County River Patrol boat attempted to
rescue the man but was unable to reach the island due to severe weather
conditions.
TheCoast Guard Cutter Bluebell, a100-foot inland buoy
tender homeported at Sector Portland was on patrolin the area and was
divereted to assist.
Crewmembers from the Bluebell reached the man
onthe island using the cutter's small boat at about 10:00 a.m., and
transported him toCamas, Wash., where awaiting emergency
medicaltechnicains transferred him to a local hosipital.
Weather
conditions this morning were winds 35-to-45 mph, seven foot seas and a
water temperature of 40 degrees.
Boatersshould check local weather
conditions before heading out. During severe weather conditions boaters
as well rescue personnel are placed in danger.
The Coast Guard
reminds boaters to have lifejackets, flares, and a VHF marine radio
onboard. The proper use of this equipment greatly increases your chance
of survival during a maritime accident.
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The U.S. Coast Guard
is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department
of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of
America.
U.S. Coast Guard - 13th District
13th District Public
Information Site
http://www.piersystem.com/go/site/21/