Coast Guard rescues man from Willamette River in Portland, Ore.

[The Patriot]

WARRENTON, Ore. — The Coast Guard rescued a man from the Willamette River after his sail boat capsized near the St. Johns Bridge, in Portland, Sunday night .

The man was delivered to awaiting emergency medical services at the Cathedral Park boat launch were he was checked for injuries and released.

The Coast Guard was relayed a call from Multnomah County dispatch at 7:45 p.m. reporting a man clinging to the hull of his capsized vessel and yelling for help. Sector Columbia River Command Center watchstanders directed the launch of a 29-foot Response Boat - Small II crew, from Station Portland.

The rescue crew from Station Portland was on scene within 6 minutes and rescued the man from the water. After safely delivering the man to EMS, the rescue crew returned to the capsized boat and towed it to the boat launch.

"The quick relay of the distress call demonstrated the professionalism, teamwork, and training, which exists between local responders and Coast Guard personnel," said Greg Merten, operations unit controller at Sector Columbia River. "A quick response was essential in getting the man out of the cool water and preventing hypothermia from setting in."

The river conditions were calm with a water temper of 53 degrees and an air temperature of 61 degrees.




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