The panic is evident in the captain’s quavering voice.
“The engine room is taking on water,” he says. “We’re going to need someone out here right now with pumps – right now!”
The mayday call came at 3:20 a.m. Sunday, as the fishing vessel Coastal Reign began to founder at the notorious mouth of the Columbia River after reportedly striking a submerged object. Three commercial fishermen were on board.
Boat crews and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter launched from the Coast Guard’s Cape Disappointment station. The helicopter arrived on scene by 3:38 a.m., the Coast Guard said, followed by the boats.
The Coast Guard set up a pump on the vessel and towed it to Skipanon Marina. No injuries were reported.
The Coast Guard said seas were six feet with winds of about 15 mph at the time of rescue.
— Rob Davis
rdavis@oregonian.com
503.294.7657
@robwdavis
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