Coast Guard, Coast Guard

[Pilar]

Thanks to the Coast Guard for thier latest heroic rescue. They deserve my respect every day. I know when I key the VHF and say the words they will answer. The adult beverages are on me boys.

We saw a tragedy unfold this afternoon in the jaws of Tillamook Bay. About 1500 or so my partner and I were fishing the bubble, when I noticed a boat very close to the tip of the S. Jetty. I pointed it out to my partner and turned away to drive the boat.

We were about 150yds away. "Oh my God" was what my partner said next and I turned back and watched 'Holiday' go end over end on a breaking swell and land on the jetty upside down. A moment of shocked silence was broken by my radio call to the Coast Guard for help. Within seconds CH. 16 was a babble of voices all calling for the only assistance they could think of.

I switched to 22 and finished the report. We could see several fishers beeline to the scene and try to help. One of the unfortunates was in the surf at the end of the jetty, we could see no others.

After a bit it was reported that a swimmer had been recovered and a man was in the rocks. I can't tell you how long the Coast Guard took to get there as my sense of time had stopped when the boat flipped. The rescue boat pulled an unconcious man out of the water and blazed back up the bay to the CG station. It was reported that he had died and CPR was attempted.

Then a guy in a light colored T-shirt appeared on the jetty above the man in the rocks. Where did he come from? He struggled down to the water and helped the injured man to higher ground. We are guessing that he jumped onto the jetty from one of the boats that swarmed in to help.

Friend, whoever you are, you are one brave hombre. You probably saved that fellows life.
You showed a complete lack of concern for your own safety. Folks, they call that sort of thing Heroism.

The Coast Guard helicopter then rescued the two men from the jetty.

Whatever the man who died learned about the end of the S. Jetty, he took it with him. You don't have to pay that price. Stay the hell away from the tips, there are submerged rocks that extend out under water. Whatever that fish is worth to you, it is not worth your life or your boat.

Think about it!

[KrystalFlash]

Hey bud!
I hate to hear stories like this.
It happens all the time though, people being careless, not paying attention.
Geez, What do you say when something like this happens? I hope that maybe someone, if only one person, learned a lesson from that incident. Then there will be one less incident like that in the future. You are right, no fish is worth your life.
BZ to the brave Hombre on the rocks.
If I could, I'd give him a medal. Not too many guys like that around. I'm sorry to hear about the casualties, that just stinks. OUT!

I'd Rather be Lucky Than Good!
KrystalFlash

I read about it in the paper this morning, whilst trolling around the Willamette for coho (nothing), and it said they were 200 feet off the tip! That seems like a long way from the tip. Was there a really big ocean? What the heck happened? Sounds horrible, one guy died, 73 years old. Boy.....

Remember guys, it's just a fish!

------------------
LW

[RW]

I was there and saw the boat overturn, they were way to close to the rocks. The ocean had at least eight foot swells, big waves and they had no business being where they were. Stupid? Didn't know better? I can't read their mind. I do know that everyone else out there that day learned a lesson that none of us will forget anytime soon. RW

[Pilar]

One last time. Sorry about the picture quality. Don't waste your money on the Kodak picture disc. The resolution is extremely poor. The small object at the center of the photo is the wrecked 'Holiday' on the Tillamook south jetty.

This is your boat.............


This is your boat on the rocks



Any Questions?

[This message has been edited by Pilar (edited 09-27-2000).]

[ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: Pilar ]

[ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: Pilar ]</p>

[Shirlz]

On behalf of my family, I want to thank those of you who helped, or tried to help my parents that day. It must have been terrible to witness. Your heroism is deeply appreciated by all of us.

For those of you who knew Don Fulton, part of the lure of retiring in Rockaway Beach was to be able to fish in the ocean, which he had done for probably 60 years.

Though it was his most favorite thing in life, he also had a deep respect for the inherent dangers.

They were all taken by surprise. Please be safe out there.

Shirley Fulton

Our condolences again for your loss Shirley. Doing what I love to at the end of a relatively long and full life and leaving quickly with no long term suffering is how I wish to leave someday. It's so unfortunate they had to leave too early though. And this was not all in vain because of the dramatic education it has created here and elsewhere, that likey will save lives in the future. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and take care. - Steve