USCG Orcas Responds to Disabled Vessel, May 14

The U.S. Coast Guard towed a fishing vessel to safety after the two people aboard reported that the vessel had become disabled more than 15 miles northwest of Yaquina Bay, Oregon, Monday. Crewmembers aboard the fishing vessel Faith of Tonk contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend, Oregon, via VHF-FM radio at 4:54 p.m. and requested assistance.  Sector North Bend watchstanders diverted the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Orcas, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Coos Bay, Oregon, from a living marine resources patrol to assist.  The crew of Orcas arrived on scene at approximately 7:04 p.m. and took the 40-foot fishing vessel into tow.  At 9:24 p.m., a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon, met Orcas crew and took over the tow. The boatcrew towed the fishing vessel to South Beach Marina in Newport, where it was safely moored at 10:38 p.m.  “We coordinated beforehand and developed the plan,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class David A. Killough, coxswain of the MLB during the tow. “Once we got on scene, we were able to communicate on the radio to pass off the tow in a safe and organized manner. That’s why we train. That’s why we do what we do.”  There were no reports of injuries.