Coast Guard rescues man off sinking boat
Courtesy US Coast Guard
ILWACO, Wash - The Coast Guard rescued a man from his sinking fishing boat off the Washington coast around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. Coast Guard Sector Columbia received a call from the man aboard the boat "Charlie & Carol", saying that the vessel was taking on water, about 25 miles west of Ilwaco, Wash. The Coast Guard reported that the man told them the ship's pump was unable to keep up with the water coming into the boat.
The Coast Guard launched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria and a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco. When the chopper got on scene, they lowered a rescue swimmer into the water. The rescue swimmer climbed aboard the sinking boat and a rescue basket hoisted the man and the swimmer back up to the Coast Guard helicopter.
The Coast Guard motor lifeboat arrived on scene and confirmed that the "Charlie & Carol" sank completely. The rescued man was transported to Station Cape Disappointment where he was examined. The man refused to submit to an alcohol breath test and was suspected of being intoxicated. He's is being charged with boating under the influence, the Coast Guard reported.