The Coast Guard rescued three people from the water after their boat capsized near Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay in Newport, Wednesday, July 2. Coast Guard Sector North Bend watchstanders received notification of three people in the water right outside Station Yaquina Bay, at approximately 11:15 a.m. Lt. Robert Ornelas, commanding officer of Station Yaquina Bay, saw the three individual’s boat capsize after it was hit by the wake from a passing vessel and notified the stations watchstander who sounded the search and rescue alarm. “Everyone at the station is assigned a specific role at the beginning of the day, so once that alarm went off, the boatcrew dropped everything and was ready to go,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Augusta Lowry, a boatswain’s mate at Station Yaquina Bay and the coxswain during the rescue. A 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew and 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew responded within minutes and pulled the three individuals out of the water. “Being able to see the case unfold, we were able to launch the RB-S and 47’ MLB before anyone could call out, which turned out to be a blessing, since none of the occupants of the vessel that capsized had lifejackets or a buoyant apparatus aboard,” said Ornelas. “I think people have a false sense of security, fishing in the bay, the sun is out, the seas are calm, but they fail to see the hidden dangers of the water temperature and hypothermia. Our crew performed flawlessly today, they saved three people, re-righted the vessel, and cited the suspected vessel for negligent operations.” The boatcrew was also able to upright the overturned vessel and tow it into the Newport Marina. Though the three individuals were not wearing lifejackets, they were reported in good condition and refused medical attention.
