Dramatic video shows boat on Oregon coast overcome by Pacific waves as sailor jumps ship
A sailor jumped into the Pacific Ocean Thursday just south of the Columbia River after his boat was pushed into dangerous waves.
A U.S. Coast Guard crew from the Cape Disappointment station in Washington rescued the man.
Video of the incident shot from a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter shows large breakers pushing the boat toward the shore off Oregon’s Fort Stevens State Park.
Sometime later, the sole occupant of the boat dives into the sea.
The incident unfolded around 1:30 p.m. when Coast Guard Sector Columbia River watchstanders received a report from park rangers of a 26-foot-long sailboat with a torn sail just off shore.
The Jayhawk, already in the air for a training flight, was diverted to the scene and two rescue boats from Cape Disappointment were dispatched.
“The helicopter arrived on scene and reported that the vessel was at anchor and the foresail was torn,” according to Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier. “One individual walked on the deck of the vessel, but Coast Guard crews were uncertain if the man was in distress.”
As crews watched, the boat began dragging its anchor, quickly moved into the surf zone and began rolling.
“The man onboard the vessel jumped overboard into the water, attempting to swim to shore,” Strohmaier said.
A crew pulled the sailor on board one of the rescue boats. The man had mild hypothermia and was taken to the Coast Guard station in Ilwaco and then transported to a local hospital, the Coast Guard said.
Later that evening, the boat washed ashore at Fort Stevens State Park.
The Columbia River divides Oregon and Washington. Its bar is considered to be one of the most treacherous river entrances in the world. Winter storms can produce waves 30 feet high and dangerous seas can rise north and south of the river any time of year.
Crews from Station Cape Disappointment conduct between 400 and 500 search and rescue missions a year, according to the Coast Guard.
This story was originally published May 7, 2022 at 9:54 AM with the headline "Dramatic video shows boat on Oregon coast overcome by Pacific waves as sailor jumps ship."
