Missing Fisherman at Charleston, March 24

Coast Guard crews are searching for a missing man after the 62-foot fishing trawler Patty A J capsized between the Coos Bay Bar jetties near Charleston, Wednesday, March 23. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend and two 47-foot Motor Life Boat crews from Coast Guard Station Coos Bay are actively searching the area for the missing fisherman after a good Samaritan rescued three of the four people on board and transported them to emergency medical personnel waiting at Charleston Marina. “The search is our number one concern and there have been no reports of pollution,” said Lt. Wesley Jones, a helicopter pilot at Air Station North Bend. “We are working diligently with our local partners to coordinate search efforts and saturate the area.” Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received multiple reports at 8:06 a.m. of a capsized vessel between the bar jetties. Witnesses saw the vessel list to port while turning, quickly roll, capsize and toss three people into the water. Local agencies are assisting in the search including a Lakeside Fire and Rescue diver who dove on the vessel, but was unable to confirm if anyone was inside the vessel before being forced to the surface by danger from lines and debris. The vessel was reportedly inbound with 20,000 pounds of dover sole in the hold and had a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration observer on board, who was one of the three people rescued.