Coast Guard announces openings of Oregon search and rescue detachments, May 26

Coast Guard Sector North Bend is scheduled to open its seasonal Rogue River Search and Rescue Detachment in Gold Beach and Coquille River SAR Detachment in Bandon, Saturday, May 24.  The detachments are operated on a seasonal basis from Memorial Day weekend to early fall depending on boating traffic and bar conditions.  Rogue River SAR Detachment crews will be limited to operating a 25-foot Response Boat-Small this season, due to shoaling which causes shallow areas in the river. The Rogue River is no longer deep enough in many places to safely moor and operate a 47-foot Motor Life Boat. The Coquille River SAR Detachment crew will operate one 47-foot MLB, as usual.  RB-S crews are limited to operating in seas of six feet or less with no breaking surf. Coast Guard 47-foot MLB crews from Station Chetco River and helicopter crews from Air Station North Bend can respond to SAR in the vicinity of Rogue River.  The Coast Guard asks all boaters to pay close attention to bar conditions at both rivers as the weather can change rapidly causing conditions to deteriorate. Rough bar warning signs are posted at the stations to notify boaters of any rough bar conditions. Mariners are encouraged to contact the Coast Guard via VHF channel 16 or landline at 541-247-7219 for Rogue River and 541-888-3267 for Coquille River.  Boaters are reminded to wear lifejackets while operating their boats and to ensure all distress signaling equipment is current and working properly. All vessels should carry an anchor with enough line attached to anchor their boat and continue to monitor marine weather broadcasts throughout the day.