Anchoring in the channel can be deadly

Bait O' Eggs · 05-29-2001, 06:46 AM

I saw the story last night on the news. As the news portrayed the story. They were anchored in the channel fishing near Camas, along comes a barge, their motor would not start and they tried to swim to clear the barge. One made it one didnt. No life jackets on board the boat. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Here is what the Oregonian had to say about it.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/orego...32dead29.frame

Gotta be safe out there.

05-29-2001, 08:21 AM

[img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] DAMN IT! Stay out of the channel and be careful out there!

SteelieSteve · 05-29-2001, 09:29 AM

I saw the report on the news. Nice sled but what was that guy thinking??? No life jackets on board??? The son survived but the father is missing in a very swift current. Barges can't dodge you if you get in there channel. Use good judgement out there and Do Have Floatation devices on your boats! Stay out of the shipping lanes! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Pilar · 05-29-2001, 12:05 PM

This is why the Coast Guard gets so squirelly when you anchor in the channel. If you wonder why they are hassling you then remember the guy they still can't find.

FishinMission · 05-29-2001, 12:28 PM

Is a fish that valuable??? What a shame, and a waste. Too bad I have to say I see nimrods anchoring in the channel just about every time I go out there.

Jellyhead · 05-29-2001, 12:40 PM

I happen to work for the Tug company that was involved in the situation. Please, Please, Please do not anchor in the Channel!!

Last year in the fall the Sherrif was escorting tugs through the area the accident occurred in, and likley will be doing the same this year. Please use your heads this fall, most of the salmon water is going to be in or near the channel. Don't risk it for a fish. I personally know how shook up the operators of these tugs get after a down-river run in the fall. I've heard all of the close call stories. Please give these guys room, It takes one of these tugs along time to stop. If you're not sure of the channel boundries or markers ask someone.

Let's all be safe out there.

Aaron

LAYthe5 · 05-29-2001, 01:49 PM

Like countless gorge fisherman every year, I too have seen people repeatedly anchoring in or near the shipping channel. This is not a laughing matter. And this has been proven once again, with the result of someone losing thier life the other day. Commercial shipping traffic have the "right of way", it is the law. If the coast guard, and or Sheriff catches you not yielding the right of way to commercial traffic, you will probably get fined! This is what i've been told by the marine patrol. Your responsability as a boater/sport fisherman is to anchor in the right place, move when you hear repeated horn blasts, and give those guys a wide berth when underway. And just remember to help out people who dont have a clue, you just might save someone's life if you do.

Fish Safe, Fish Hard.
LTF [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Killertraylor · 05-29-2001, 02:09 PM

I read the Oregonian article. Does anyone know whether their boat was actually hit? Did they make a bad decision in deciding to abandon ship? That's one of my worst nightmares - being hit by a big ship or barge. I've read some rescue stories of guys who have fallen off crabbers in big seas and when the boat comes to rescue them, all they see are the razor sharp barnicles on the bottom of the boat crashing down on them - some make it, some don't.

WheresMyBobber · 05-29-2001, 08:38 PM

The boat was not hit by the barge. Can't comment further.

Very tragic.

[img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Firedog · 05-29-2001, 08:49 PM

Neal, were you out on that yesterday? I came by Chinook about 6 or so. I saw the news and my best friends boat looks just like the one that had the problem and he was also fishing yesterday. i couldnt get a hold of him so I drove out and took a look for myself. Talked to one of your FF's at the ramp, big guy with mustache. Don't know his name saw him at a fire or two when I worked at 45's.He just told me the boat brand then I knew itwasnt my buddy. I do feel for those involved. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

HOGTIDE · 05-29-2001, 09:34 PM

My heart goes out to their family. They did something dumb, and now someone is dead. I've logged lots of hours on the water in the last 25 years, and still, I make stupid mistakes from time to time. The river is powerful and unforgiving. If you've boated much at all, you know how quickly things can go bad with an anchor and a swift current. Hopefully, incidents like this, at the very least, remind us to be safe...life jackets at the ready.

Hey firedog...do you know any of my old childhood fishin' pals, turned Portland firemen? Danny Rossos? Jimmy Traut?

[ 05-29-2001: Message edited by: HOGTIDE ]

Firedog · 05-30-2001, 05:22 AM

Hogtide, I know Big Dan Rossos, great guy. Don't know Truat know a Truax though.

Always be paying attention when on the big river, we actually had a problem pulling anchor yesterday because of how close the boats above us got. A little quick boat handling and luck saved that situation. Also always carry a good knife on your belt or have it laying next to the anchor rope if needed quick.

WheresMyBobber · 05-30-2001, 07:28 AM

I wasn't on the call, but one of my fishing partners was Incident Commander and another friend was one of the divers. The big guy with a mustache was probably Fred Butler who works up at 73's.

Maybe when all is said and done, more of the story will be made public. There are definitely some lessons to be learned.

I had Dan Rossos in my FF skills class back in 1979-80, and work and fish with Jim Traut. Small world!

Firedog · 05-30-2001, 03:54 PM

WMB, yeah it is a small world. Every FF seems to know someone that some other FF knows. As you and I both know there is a lot more to every story, luckily we are able to keep some things from the media. Hopefully something good can come from this tragedy. Keep it safe.

DF · 07-16-2001, 12:41 AM

Comming back to this subject. I recently spoke with a friend of the captain of the tug. They put him through hours and hours of question's from lawyers ( gotta love em )and question's from the USCG. Somthing I didnt know what the tug never even came close to hitting the boat. He was empty and heading into the current. Why did these guys jump? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Krome Brite · 07-17-2001, 09:40 AM

I recently saw a new (I think) safety/awareness commercial on channel 8. It showed a couple guys out fishing in their boat in the Columbia, with a ship headed straight for them, who moved out of the way for the ship. Maybe this commercial was made after the accident to try to prevent any more tragedies from happening? Has anybody else seen this commercial?

FM2 · 07-17-2001, 10:30 AM

That commercial has been running for several weeks. Good message, they should of used some ifishers for a truer illustration of fisherman....then again ifishers know not to anchor in the channel [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

07-17-2001, 12:08 PM

We saw them again up high and narrow, right in the channel huh Stew? Some of these guys, you just want to tell them to make sure they close their tackle box so you can "salvage" it intact for your own collection.