The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 2 men, one woman, and a dog after the commercial fishing boat ‘Royal’ sank 45 miles off Lincoln City, OR, on Sunday afternoon.
Watchstanders at Sector North Bend received a distress signal at 2 p.m. from an electronic position indicating radio beacon [EPIRB]. Coast Guard watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched a rescue crew from Air Facility Newport aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
At 4 p.m., the aircrew located a debris field and life raft approximately 6 miles from the beacon’s last transmitted location.
“A rescue swimmer was deployed by free-fall and began recovering the survivors,” the Coast Guard stated. “The rescue swimmer assisted the individuals and dog with their safe hoist into the cabin of the helicopter. The last survivor was hoisted at 4:30 p.m.”
Thankfully, the survivors were in stable condition and did not require further medical attention. They were transported to awaiting friends and family members at Air Facility Newsport.
The U.S. Coast Guard encourages all mariners to have the proper safety equipment and training experience to operate vessels. They recommend ensuring a reliable means of communication to call for help when needed, such as a fixed or portable VHF-radio.
“[The aircrew] acted quickly and had the necessary equipment to survive an emergency like this,” said Lt. Robert Pfaff, pilot and flight commander during the rescue. “Their preparation and readiness for a worst-case scenario saved their lives.”
Sadly, even in the modern era, vessels are lost at sea. If you survived a vessel sinking, or you have lost a loved one in a vessel sinking, the experienced maritime lawyers at BOATLAW, LLP can help you fight for the justice you deserve. Call 1-800-262-8529 to obtain free, confidential consultation.
Douglas R. Williams was raised in a military family. After retiring from the armed forces, his father sailed as the chief medical officer with many of the most popular cruise lines, including Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. When not in school, Doug spent a good part of his youth in the crew quarters sailing with his father on cruise ships. He developed a practical knowledge of the maritime industry from a young age. Learn More here.
