Boat down, Nehalem Bar!!!!

[Joe Schwab]

How many times does it have to happen. Twice over the weekend. Two boats went out over Nehalem Bar in rough conditions and were turned over. Fortunately Rockaway rescue was there and pulled the boaters to safety. Both boats were a total loss. One was an 18ft Boston Whaler, that washed up on Nedonna Beach. The owner managed to get to the boat with his trailer and bring what was left of it home. He was the only one in the boat and was one lucky fella. The thing that gets me going in these scenarios is these people that think they are indestructible and then try to prove it in front of everyone else. What are you as an onlooking boater going to do? Attempt a rescue? The point was driven home about 15 years ago on the upper Columbia when a large tug flipped in high winds near Arlington. Three people were in the water and our State Police boat, which was far from being a rescue boat was on scene. The Trooper risked his and another Trooper's life to go out in 35 knot + winds to try to find the people. They were barely able to escape with their own hides and could do nothing in the heavy seas. The Coast Guard finally arrived, took one look and flatly stated no one was going out in that stuff with the equipment available. The point is these people, taking chances with the ocean, are putting others at risk by their bravado. After the boat and gear was removed from the beach this morning I went over to the boaters wife and gently asked her if she would please not let him do this again. She had the look on her face of someone who knew she had almost lost a loved one. I feel so bad for people who have to go through this but the outcome was a lot better than it could have been. Don't let your friends boat badly. The happy face is for the outcome [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]