Early Wednesday morning, USCG Station Deope Bay received a distress call from a 50 foot sailing vessel beset by seas upwards of 20 feet and 35 knots of wind. A motor lifeboat from Depoe Bay launched and began towing the vessel South towards Newport.

Hours later as they approached the Yaquina Bay bar, two 47′ lifeboats from Station Yaquina Bay and a MH65 helicopter from the Newport Air Facility launched to render assistance. With conditions worsening it was decided that removing the crew from their vessel was the safest option to ensure their safety. All five crewmembers abandoned ship and entered the water where a lifeboat quickly retrieved them from the 50 degree water and rushed them to EMS personnel on land. The unmanned sailboat was then taken into tow and safely brought across the Yaquina Bay bar.

After evaluating different options, the crews on scene had the five individuals donn survival suits and enter the water. They were immediately picked up by one of the crews onboard a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat.

Another rescue boatcrew was able to safely tow the sailboat across the bar and moor the sailboat in safe harbor.

Video courtesy of Petty Officer Cristen Steffen. Words and image courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay.

This story was updated on October 19 to include more information from the USCG.

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