Another Driftboat Down on the Clack

[STGRule]

Sweeper got them. Both okay, just wet and waiting for the rescue dudes (THANKS rescue dudes :cheers: ) to pick up their stuff.

[Mad Mikey]

Where did they bite it? Upper McIver has a boat sinker but it's avoidable. That sucks, glad it weren't me....

[STGRule]

It was the sweeper just above Carver boat ramp just before the wall.

[ 05-11-2002, 06:06 PM: Message edited by: STGRule ]

[Captjohn]

This is Captain Oliver from the Clackamas Fire District, Water Rescue Unit. Yes we did have an accident on the Clackamas this morning that luckily only lead to some lost equipment and not lost lives. Unfortunately we are off to a very busy start to this year’s accident season on the rivers of Clackamas County with several close calls, numerous jet boat wrecks, two driftboat accidents, several rafting accidents and one death. Please don’t let this stretch of warm weather catch people off guard as it historically does. May and June are our busiest months of the year for incidents which are basically attributed to high water levels and sunshine. Much of this comes from changes in the Rivers as the water levels drop and the river begins to carve its summer channels. This carving effect narrows the options for travel in tight areas which catches many off guard. Contrary to popular belief much of the rivers changes happen during this time of the river water year and not during the big water of winter. We always promote not only carrying life jackets but wearing them when on the water. But since the law only requires children to wear them many of us don’t. So please at the least put them on as you navigate sections that are new to you or to your boat.

[Hogmaster]

Moleman, check in!

That wasn't you was it, dude? You said you were floating Barton to Carver today.

Glad people were safe, first time I floated that stretch with a friend he got sucked into that wall and seriously slammed his wood boat. He was experienced, too.

None of us float better than our vests!

[Alligator]

That makes two for the day, no, make that three. An inflatable canoe overturned at what I believe is the citation hole which is just above the Carver wall. The couple lost all their gear but my partner and I were able to retrive all. The two in the canoe were with another couple with a green rubber raft. Ten minutes before the canoe turned over the rubber raft hit a snag under the water ripped and sunk. All four made it to shore safely. Wait there's more! Earlier the same canoe ran square into the front of a sled that was back trolling below Tolmans. The sled was on the edge of the slot and the canoe couldn't row out of the current to miss the collision. Very close to going under the boat. There was one other time the raft hit a bolder dead center and luckly rolled around.

As I run these close calls through my mind it occured to me these kids aren't prepared for the higher volume of water this year. The rubber rafts and inflatables without ridged oarlocks don't have the capability of moving out of dangerous situations. Fishermen, this is serious! Until these kids are taught of the high water dangers, their safety may very well depend upon us moving out of their way. We gave one wet and cold young lady a ride down to Carver while her frends followed.

les

[ampersat]

with the good weather out, idiots abound. carry a throwable and be prepared to help out. let's keep the sad news stories to a minimum.

[Fishalot]

Let us not call people idiots and cast judgment on them, these things happen to everyone and we should be counting our blessing :smile: . It's great that they are ok and that there are fishermen and people like Captain Oliver out there to help, thank you and your department Capt.

Dylan

[Keta]

What else can you call a reasonably intelligent person that does stupid things? graemlins/1zhelp.gif

[ampersat]

sorry, didn't mean to cast broad aspersions like that. what i meant to say was people who don't think through what they are doing, use inappropriate or inadequate gear, aren't familiar with the river or moving water in general, don't know the proper techniques for using their craft, use poor judgement, are possibly drunk or on drugs, or are otherwise unprepared for a day on the river come out of the woodwork when the weather turns nice. it seems like it's the same story every year: first really nice day and there are a bunch of accidents on the river. during the low flows of summer, these folks might not have a problem. however, spring is a different story.

my point is, be prepared to lend your fellow human a hand out there.

[Premo]

That eddie above carver can be nasty if you dont know what your doing.I have personally saved a guys life barely clinging on to that wall this year.He did'nt even say thanks. I fish the clack 4-5days a week and there seems to be lots of unfamiliar faces out. The current is swift in the spring so be careful.It happens to pros too. I remember a couple years back when a very well known guide slammed his boat and motor so hard I could see the entire bottom of his boat. I will never forget the look on his clients faces.They made it back safe. Be safe and dont hit anything broadside.

[Straydog]

Keta,

In answer to your question, "ignorant, uneducated, too much of a risk taker, inexperienced, just learning, or not paying attention" may fit some of the people that were called idiots.

Not to say that word dosen't describe some of the people on our rivers, it isn't fair to lable them all as such until they have had ample time to prove it.

I recall one young family I encountered on the Rogue a few years back I would say fit the description of idiots....

It was a young man, his wife and an INFANT (3, maybe 4 months old by my visual) floating the Rogue just below Dunn Riffle (the one that killed a guy this winter) in a 2 man rubber duckie with no life jackets, no paddles and no brains.

Idiot would indeed be the right word for anyone that would put this child in this stiuation.

Entertaining is a word I might use to describe the two naked females I helped (it was tough duty but someone had to do it!! :shocked: ) that I pulled out of the water just below White Horse..... of course we knew they were coming by the overturned tahiti, swim suits and other gear that proceeded them down past my sled.

My experience of years of occasionally dragging folks out of the river tells me most are not idiots, they just don't have a resonable understanding of the dynamics involved in as large moving body of water.

Not all were as lucky as us to have this have been part of our life experience since before we were big enough to walk.

[whitewaterbill]

Captain Oliver,

I had no idea that you have had "MANY" already this year.

I don't generally fish there.....But it would be good info for those that do.....If you would give as much detail as you can as things happen ....(Without Nameing names)...To be an education for those that use that river.....Or if you have any advice in advance......Prevention is what it is all about.

You would be a great guest and speaker at White Water Boaters of Oregon based in Clackamas.

Many could learn from what you see.

Bill