Surfer hit in PC this morning

[Eastside Dave]

Boy loses arm in surfing accident

Posted by Lori Tobias, The Oregonian July 06, 2008 11:23AM

Categories: Breaking News
A 14-year-old surfer was airlifted to a Portland trauma center Sunday morning after colliding with a dory boat in Pacific City, severing his arm.
Tillamook Sheriff Todd Anderson said the boy was hit by the boat at about
9:51 as the dory was coming into shore in 8- to 10-foot swells. The collision occurred about 100 yards off shore.
Two emergency room physicians and a nurse just happened to be at the beach
at the time and stabilized the boy. A state police officer also was on the beach and drove him to meet an ambulance for transport to Tillamook General Hospital, where a Life Flight crew flew him to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland.
Anderson said rescuers recovered the boy's arm.
Pacific City is one of the few places on the Oregon coast where dory boats, small crafts often used for fishing, are launched directly from shore.

Print This Page | Send To A Friend | Permalink (Learn More)
Share: Reddit | Digg | del.icio.us | Google | Yahoo | What is this?

[flapbreaker]

Wow, that's tragic. Hope they can re-attach his arm.

[ron m]

Very tragic. A nightmare for everyone involved, especially the boy and his family.

[Willis]

"Very tragic. A nightmare for everyone involved, especially the boy and his family. "

While I agree with you about the family im sure the doryman is just as shaken.

[Doryfisher]

Very sad day for all involved. Thankfully there were medical personel and a state trooper on the beach to help the child. The Dory Man was extremely upset and in shock.

I had just came in 15 minutes before. Call came out on the radio about the growing surf and the number of surfers. The surf came up from no where. Huge pucker factor and a close call for us and many others. At one point I had a curling 12 foot wave breaking 20ft behind me. I kissed the beach and hugged my son when the boat quit sliding.

Never seen the surf come out of no where like that. All the surfers, at least 60 were stacked up by where we land our boats. It was a bigger nightmare than usual because of the huge surf. One dory dodged a surfer at top speed and ended up launching a passenger out of his boat, and under it. We all ran to help them out. The young boy incident happened about 10 minutes later. Truly not a day I ever want to repeat again.


My heart goes out to the young boy and his family.

Originally Posted by ron m

Very tragic. A nightmare for everyone involved, especially the boy and his family.

[CAPT KUJO]

PACIFIC CITY, Ore. -- A 14-year-old surfer had his arm severed by a Dory boat headed for shore Sunday on the Oregon Coast.

Cole Ortega, of Bend, had been surfing with his sister and her boyfriend at Cape Kiwanda near the coastal town of Pacific City.

Witnesses said the boat, operated by 55-year-old Darrel Martin, came into shore at a high speed, struck Ortega and tore his arm off between the left elbow and shoulder.

Surfers carried Ortega to shore and placed him in a pickup truck belonging to a Fish and Wildlife officer. Meanwhile, other surfers retrieved Ortega's arm from the sea.
Two doctors and a nurse who were at the beach helped treat the boy until an ambulance took him to a hospital.

A rough ocean day made for good surfing, but poor visibility for Dory boats heading for shore Sunday, authorities said. The swells heading toward the beach were 8 to 10 feet high.

"The surf was really high out there," said surfer Dan Elstone. "So (Ortega) couldn't see behind the waves. (The boat driver) didn't honk his horn or anything. He came straight in."

Cape Kiwanda is home to a large Dory fishing fleet and it's also a popular surfing location, state police said.

Some of the surfers said they have an ongoing problem with dory boats.

"It's not managed at all," said surfer Scott Siegal. "We've been saying for years, this is going to happen."

However, boaters said they use a spotter on the beach to signal that it's all clear to run the boat up onto the beach.

"There were spotters on the beach," said Terry Appleby, a dory man. "They had radio communication with that boat. The two guys in the boat were watching both sets of surfers out there."

Marine patrol deputies from the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office are investigating the incident.

It was a BAD scene this morning. The ocean was flat when everyone was launching and by 9AM the surf was MONSTER!!!
The poor boy and Darrel (the boat driver) both need your prayers


CAPT KUJO

[fish_on]

Sad story, BUT it is a beach dory boats have been using for a long, long, long time. It sounds like they want to put all the burden on the boater and none on the surfer.

[husker]

sorry about the kid......but this could be bad for dory people. i firmly believe surfer are the 1's in the wrong but public opinion might not see it that way........

i do hope he is alright but he had no business being in the way...imho.....rules of the road.....give right away to the bigger boat

[wthr4d]

historically Dory boats have been on Oregon beaches longer than surfers, but why do we need to make a blame incident out of this?

It was a bad day for everyone and all involved will have to live with the incident the rest of their lives. I doubt anyone involved will want to repeat it.

we as citizens and Ifishers need to be here in support of all and do our best NOT to place blame on anyone involved in this tragic ACCIDENT.

Paul

[veilside180sx]

Ideally I think they should section off a part of the beach to help the boats land and keep the surfers safe. I fall on both sides of the fence with this one, as I like to surf and obviously fish a lot as well.

[StickFish]

I hope everyone comes out of this OK. The surfer has a serious physical injury, the Dory Man a serious mental injury. I pray both will heal

[stream]

Originally Posted by wthr4d

historically Dory boats have been on Oregon beaches longer than surfers, but why do we need to make a blame incident out of this?

It was a bad day for everyone and all involved will have to live with the incident the rest of their lives. I doubt anyone involved will want to repeat it.

we as citizens and Ifishers need to be here in support of all and do our best NOT to place blame on anyone involved in this tragic ACCIDENT.

Paul

I agree with this.

It is time to think about a Young man that might loose his arm not if there should be blame our prayer's go out to him and his family

[fishkisser]

Sounds like both the Dorymen and Surfers need to figure out how not to repeat this tragic incident in the future before the powers that be let the axe fall ...
prayers to all involved ...

[wavechaser]

I am also a surfer so I'm going to have a different perspective. I am wondering what the swell forecast was for Pacific City today. I didn't fish Westport, WA today because 9 ft swells were forecast.

If big surf was forecast, it could seem irresponsible to launch/retreive in those conditions and possibly endanger others. Coming in at 9:51 seems a little early to finish the day, so conditions were obviously worse than the guy could handle.

I've never surfed at Pacific City, but most breaks are very small sections that could easily be avoided by boats launching/retrieving. But if Pacific City has surfers all down the beach for hundreds of yards, then I guess a boater can't do much......

[Deanrt]

Fishkisser thats a great point, however after several years on a dory in the '80's n early '90's thats a lot easier said then then done, as any Dorymen knows. Unfortunatley, and I pray for this youg man, that this is what might get the right people involved who can see that this is something that amazingly hasnt happened many more times already.

Wavechaser, with all do respect you do need to see what goes on in PC on most summer weekends, and any holiday weekend you can just about double the "close calls" It's not good.

[Fast Water]

This is terrible for all concerned. I certainly hope the boy can recover well.

The first thing that comes to mind is my constant warning to my kids that the #1 reason pedestrians get hit by cars is that they walk or run in front of them. Think ahead and just stay away from that situation as best as possible and be safe.

[DoryDrifter]

I've been watching the near misses increase over the past 5 years or so. The Dorys have used the north beach for 80+ years. It's the only place in PC where the sand is right for launching and landing and it has some protection from swells and wind. The surfer's could easily see that there were 30 -50 trucks parked on the beach and with the surf going from 2-3 feet at 5am to 8-10 feet by 9:00am that the dory's would be heading in soon. The surfers have shown little respect for the beach, parking lot and other people, including young children while getting hammered in front of their run down vechiles that they illegelly park in the lot and on the beach over night. Luckily the county sheriff has been cracking down a bit this summer and I hope to see that continue. As already mentioned in this thread, a guy nearly got hit about 10 minutes before the boy lost his arm. The guy who nearly was hit swam ashore and gave the dory's captain a ear full. The truth was the dory couldn't see any of them as he came in and was doing his best not to flip his boat in the dangerous conditions, and tried to avoid them when he did and jeoderdized his crew trying to miss him. My son and I watch the hole thing and couldn't beleive after the near miss that the surfer didn't figure it out.
I pray for the young boy who was injured and the dory captain who was very torn up about the accident. I think it's time for the surfer to yield the 200 yards of beach that the dorys use, and surf on the other 2-3 miles of beach between the lot and the mouth of the river. But I suspect the lawyers will make the city/county/state and dory fisherman the ultimate bad guy in this scenerio.

[PC Silver Streak]

Originally Posted by wthr4d

historically Dory boats have been on Oregon beaches longer than surfers, but why do we need to make a blame incident out of this?

It was a bad day for everyone and all involved will have to live with the incident the rest of their lives. I doubt anyone involved will want to repeat it.

we as citizens and Ifishers need to be here in support of all and do our best NOT to place blame on anyone involved in this tragic ACCIDENT.

Paul

I second this! Please people, don't pass judgement on anybody involved in this incident! I have been a dorymen for 40 years and have made hundreds of trips thru the surf, so I know what goes on down there!

[MsOutdrs]

While not passing judgement on anyone, you Dory folks better be prepared for a fight cause I can see the "ground swell" on the part of the surfers that they will want to remove the dory landing availability...that seems to be the trend nowadays. They don't care if you were there first or for how long. I agree also...some type of regulation is going to have to be put in place to accomodate the "newbies". Certainly don't want to have anything like that happen again. I think I read in the paper this morning that they were unsuccessful in re-attaching that young man's arm...so sad. And, as many of you have said in prior posts, my heart goes out to the poor man operating the Dory boat...but it was just that...a very unfortunate accident.

[Sea Jypzee]

for both the doryman and the surfer.

With that said, the surfers out there are no different than somebody going out in the hwy in the middle of the night in dark non-reflective clothing expecting NOT to get hit.

[PIR8 Hook]

I'm terribly distressed about this incident!

To quote a line from a Jimmy Buffett song, "Don't try to discribe a KISS concert if you've never seen one".

The Doryman's Assn. has evidence that there has been dory activity off that beach for 100+ years. It is the ONLY place that a dory can safely launch from the beach 99 & 44/100% of the time. At the same time, it IS NOT the only place, (even on that beach) that surfers can surf. I AM NOT TRYING TO PLACE BLAME, JUST STATING FACTS.

I have been a doryman for 41 years. In that time, I can remember several freak days like this where the waves built quickly. Once out, you have to get in. In high surf conditions, you ride the back of a wave until you can power over it without burying he bow of the boat causing a broach & capsize. Surfers can not been seen in this situation. The skipper of the dory had a spotter on the beach on the radio.

What if a surfer was surfing the breaking waves between the Yaquina or Garibaldi jetties?

I am very sorry for the boy, his family, & the skipper. If it were me that hit him, I might never be able to fish again.

[Eastside Dave]

Mark, you're absolutely right - To echo a continuing theme here, this was a horrible accident, plain and simple. I also hope we (surfers, dory drivers, beach users, etc.) can come together, work together, learn from this, and hopefully figure out some solutions so this never happens again.

In the meantime, I pray for the young man and dory driver.

Originally Posted by PC Silver Streak

I second this! Please people, don't pass judgement on anybody involved in this incident! I have been a dorymen for 40 years and have made hundreds of trips thru the surf, so I know what goes on down there!

[PC Silver Streak]

Originally Posted by Eastside Dave

Mark, you're absolutely right - To echo a continuing theme here, this was a horrible accident, plain and simple. I also hope we (surfers, dory drivers, beach users, etc.) can come together, work together, learn from this, and hopefully figure out some solutions so this never happens again.

In the meantime, I pray for the young man and dory driver.

Well said, Dave!

[HiTekRdNek]

I feel sorrow for all involved.
As I see it. It's like playing marbles in the freeway.
That beach is a well established dory launch and retrieval spot.
The surfers should find another spot.

Hope all recover.

[Tinman]

Anybody who goes to sea, whether on a surfboard or on a boat, is in the brotherhood of watermen. Two of our own are hurt, one physically, one emotionally. I'm a newbie doryman, and a lifelong body boarder. The analysis, the lessons learned, the solutions will all come later, but not now. Now is a time for grief and prayer.

[doryfisherman]

I fished out of p.c. for a long time , when i was a kid we had trouble with surfers, then they put 3 large orange bouy balls anchored in the surf and outside the surf everyone agreed the boats stay north of bouys the surfers stayed south of them worked out well this might need to happen again, i feel bad for Daryle, and the boy but knew this would happen sooner or later thats my

[wthr4d]

Originally Posted by doryfisherman

I fished out of p.c. for a long time , when i was a kid we had trouble with surfers, then they put 3 large orange bouy balls anchored in the surf and outside the surf everyone agreed the boats stay north of bouys the surfers stayed south of them worked out well this might need to happen again...

So would something like this work again? someone mentioned a channel of bouys? I have been to PC and see the dorys and the surfers but never participated in either function this far north.

What kind of solutions can we as a collective come up with that might benefit the community? maybe if we talk about solutions here and take them with us to other places that we go, we can help steer the situation away from the rocky tides of the public blame game.

Paul

[husker]

Originally Posted by doryfisherman

I fished out of p.c. for a long time , when i was a kid we had trouble with surfers, then they put 3 large orange bouy balls anchored in the surf and outside the surf everyone agreed the boats stay north of bouys the surfers stayed south of them worked out well this might need to happen again, i feel bad for Daryle, and the boy but knew this would happen sooner or later thats my

this is exactly what needs to happen. the surfers are playing in the freeway. i am not a dory captian but i do enjoy watching them beach there boats from time to time. dorys need there room to beach. there are lots of other places to surf

[BIGALSURF]

The buoy system sounds great and the surf could even be shared to a greater extent by having the on shore launch/retrieve spotters run a flag system, so that if the flag is flying, don't surf beyond the buoy, if it isn't then you can surf both sides. I have to imagine that a lot of the winter when no one is fishing, surfers are still out there and it wouldn't make sense forcing them to one side of a buoy line.

California has a lot of areas where swimmer/surfers compete for the same water, they have flag systems etc. that help everyone share the water. I don't see any reason why we can't share the water sensibly and avoid a tragedy like this again.

Does anyone know if the poor kid had his arm reattached? It's lucky he didn't die, and also the person thrown out of the boat earlier didn't die.

There was a good comment about the fact that the swell report was for 9 ft. for Sunday. I am an old surfer, I didn't go fishing or surfing. 9 ft. swell means 13.5 foot faces top to bottom. Good conditions to eat donuts on the beach, but honestly, a lot of young surfers think, wow, Hawaii, finally some great waves, and they go out in way too big a conditions for them.

Trust the swell report. Better safe than sorry, and swell can jump in minutes.

[husker]

this is from a story on the kgw.com website:

Due to high surf and many surfers and dory boats on the water, Tillamook County Deputies and State Troopers asked all surfers to leave the ocean so the dorys could come to shore.

The Tillamook County Sheriff is investigating the accident. Currently, it has been found that there could be a possibility of other surfers being hit by boats during high surf.

[Mark Mc]

#1 My thoughts are with the boy, family, & doryman. Just horrible.

#2 Yes it might be premature to discuss solutions....I could not help but think about prevention.... I thought about two flags / markers on the beach, to mark off the same "line" that buoys in the water would do.

Closest to the surf (just above high water mark) have one pole....maybe 20 feet high, with a marker on it. Then further back uphill, a second pole with a marker....so it is just like a range marker showing a channel. That way, when in the surf / at sea, you can line them up and know which side of the "line" you are on. If it was only one marker, it would not be seen as a line.

[HiTekRdNek]

I feel it's never too soon to speak of a solution. If this topic was taken more strongly in consideration it may have kept this from happening.
I like Mark's idea of marker poles.
Something more permanent like pilings would last longer I think.

[husker]

sorry for the boy again!!

however a post mortem is needed to resolve a sticky situation to protect all involved. as i understand it there were 2 spotters on the beach. said boat had clearance from the spotters to land. (kptv news)

[nwsteelheader]

Yikes,

I was on the beach all weekend including Sunday morning. All weekend the swell was small and manageable. Sun morning was crazy. The swell seemed like it jacked up out of nowhere.

When I went down to the beach I was actually very surprised to see any dory boats had launched. And the number of empty trailers on the beach made me wonder how them boys were going to make it in. Very big swells, small intervals, and a generous amount of wind/wind chop.

I have a place in PC and surf there a LOT. This day was very much out of the ordinary. Usually if there are big swells the dorys stay home. but the swell kinda jacked out of nowhere. I think guys went out early when it was OK but got surprised when the swell rolled in.

The big problem is visibility. In those kind of conditions I know the dorymen sitting outside would have a hard time seeing surfers. I also know that surfers sitting inside can have a hard time seeing Dorys. From the time the dory picks it's slot and powers into the beach there is only about 30-45 seconds. Belive me you cant paddle surfboard very far in 30 seconds. especially with winds, currents and incoming swells. In that time it is very easy to assume that a surfer might be looking the other way or trying to duck waves, etc... that means that unless there is a really wide slot and the surfer doesnt grab a wave that puts it right in the way of the dory, then you are going to have problems.

I really don't want to take sides on this one. I love the dory fleet and what it brings to the community. I also love to surf... I think the best solution is to recognize days when the surf becomes a problem and obscures visibility and boats are stuck outside trying to get in. When that happens there needs to be a concerted effort between surfers and dorymen (AKA surfers need to get out of the way, open a slot for boats). Fortunately those days aren't that common because in big surf dories usually don't launch... Education, communication and respect are necessary. Speaking from personal experience a number of those surfers out there are real jerks, but most are nice. The dorymen i've met are all nice guys. But the reality is that the "Dory's were here first" argument isn't going to fly with me. BTW, I started surfing PC in 1989 and in those years the dory fleet was down to a handful of old salts. It has really built back up over the past 20 years. I was also usually the only surfer on the beach in those days.

Hopefully both sides can learn from this and gain a mutual respect and working relationship.

Shawn

PS - hopefully everyone involved in this accident recovers physically and emotionally.

[Irish Pennant]

If the Doryman had sounded a horn from outside the breakers could a surfer inside of the breakers hear it everytime? How loud of a horn would it take to get the surfers attention? How would a surfer communicate to the doryman that they are in his path and it's not safe to come in?

It just seems to me that both users can't occupy the same space. The Doryman is restricted in the areas that they can use and once committed to their run that they are in a point of no return. There needs to be a DR (Doryman Reserve) where other users of the surf zone are banned or have responsibilities placed upon them.

If the surfers insist on recreate in the DR that they need to post spotters, have a vhf radio and fire a signal flare or smoke when ever a dory approaches the surf zone. The doryman can wait 5 min after his vhf call before coming in. The spotter can let him know if it's safe or not.

I feel bad for the kid and his family as well for the Doryman. Very sad all around.

[smalldog]

I have always been under the impression that the area was designated as a dory launching and landing site.
I cant see why anyone would be swimming or surfing in that area when it is well known that it is a dory launch and how little control and how commited a dory is, once it starts in.

Anytime I have been down there, the swimmers have been well down the beach away from the dory area.

[nwsteelheader]

Originally Posted by smalldog

I have always been under the impression that the area was designated as a dory launching and landing site.
I cant see why anyone would be swimming or surfing in that area when it is well known that it is a dory launch and how little control and how commited a dory is, once it starts in.

Anytime I have been down there, the swimmers have been well down the beach away from the dory area.

Let me give everyone an analogy:


This hypothetical agrument:
"They should close the Turning basin at the Mouth of the Willamette to all fishing/anchoring because sometimes they turn around oceangoing vessles there. It's like "playing on the freeway" to anchor up for sturgeon or salmon in that area. Fisherman can fish anywhere on the river they want. Why don't they just stay out of that area so that the big freighters can turn around. An accident is bound to happen... "

sounds something like this argument:
Surfers can surf anywhere on the beach they want, why don't they just stay out of that area so that the dorys can launch. An accident is bound to happen..."


The point is that when it comes to public resources they have to be shared. Surfers surf there for the same reason that dorys land there. It offers a shelter from the storm and sometimes there is awesome surf at the cape. Also as a previous person noted, dories don't go out every day but you can find surfers there about every day of the year. There needs to be a way to share the resource.

When conditions get dangerous and boats need to get in - then the boats need to be given a wide berth. the rest of the year when there is 1ft/3ft seas/swells then visibility is good and everyone should use precaution.

I am absolutely not anti-boat. I would own a dory if i didn't have a wife who thinks I already have too many toys.

Small coastal towns like PC rely on a variety of types of visitors to generate income, rent rooms, restaurants, gas, etc. If you take surfing away from the cape at PC you will find a real economic impact.

Shawn

[Chrome Bumper]

They need traffic control regulations, signs and lane markings. Dorys landing and children surfing are incompatible activities and need to be separated. The poor kid probably had no clue he was in danger until he got tagged. The boats and surfers can co-exist, the surfers will just lose a tenth of a mile of the available 300 miles of Oregon coastline.

[flapbreaker]

I imagine some sort of early warming system. Maybe a light/audible beacon on the beach that can be activated by a in bound doryman by a switch or just a Life guard tower with someone on watch to activate the "get out of the water" alarm. ?

[Joe C]

hate to say it, but this is bad news for the dory's. It's not like kids playing on a freeway, more like kids in a crosswalk getting hit my a motor vehicle with the responsibility to yield before crossing. When it comes down to it, the surfers currently are entitled to access that entire break just like the Dory's. The difference is that the surfers are in the break all day long, while the Dory's just cross it in passing. Due to the fact that the surfers are both unprotected and not motorized, the duty of the dory boat is to yield right of way due to safety concerns. (just like cars and pedestrians)

In theory.

A partially submerged surfer in high swells is very hard to see. And it's not like a Dory can just stop and wait with waves crashing behind it. The big swells make it a recipe for disaster... And of course, swells and surfers go hand in hand. I don't blame the Dory captain, so much as the situation. In California there's plenty of beaches that have surf areas separated from swimming areas to avoid collisions... there's absolutely no reason that both should be allowed without some kind of safety measures. It's a tragic accident, and both sides need to come together to work on some kind of buoy system or pole marker system.

I think it's doable, surfers will have a few choice breaks that they like where they won't want the dorys passing through, but there will be room to work out a compromise location.

[Deeman]

I dont know if it is the same now as thirty years ago when I was running my boat commercially and surfing off that beach, but there used to be a cement pilar and sign on the beach that said no vehicles not launching a dory beyond this point. So they can close portions of the beach to people not engaged in launching or recovering a dory. Further, it was at least not encouraged and maybe illegal (memory fails) to launch south of the ramp. I am going to take a hard line on this one. Surfing north of the ramp is EXACTLY like playing on an airpport runway. What makes anyone think it is a good idea or even OK to go play where boats are running on plane with limited visibilty and manuverability? Does that sound like a good idea to anyone? That is exactly what some are suggesting. In the seventies there were some surfers that would on occasion be found north of the ramp and they were encouraged to move south, most times not nicely. What happened is a tragedy for the young man but one that could have been easily avoided with common sense. You feel entitled to play in the water where people are running boats at speed, go ahead but dont be suprised or outraged when you end up wearing one for a hat. The fix is easy. NO SURFERS NORTH OF THE RAMP. Problem solved. The only reason they are up there is because with a south swell the can ride the sluice along the stools back out. The wave profile is not significantly different 200 yards south, just the amount of work required to get back out. Again if you want to run with the bulls in Pamplona dont start crying when you get gored. The fact that accidents like this are such a rarity is a testament to the skill and willingness of the dorymen to put themselves at risk to accomodate the selfishness of the surfing community.

[BIGALSURF]

I don't think that either group should be considered selfish, and that one group should or should not use a particular area. When people want to travel in the same space it is called an intersection, and intersections are shared and regulated, by stop signs, or by lights, but just because there is potential for an accident it doesn't mean that all the people travelling north and south shouldn't be allowed to do that any longer because the people travelling east and west did it first or have more need.

Nope, people share the space.

It is not true that "Surfers can surf anywhere on the coast." Most of the time the winds are not favorable, most of the summer in fact on the entire north coast you can only get surfable waves at Indian, short sands and PC.

Imagine trying to launch your boat "anywhere on the coast", like off a cliff?

PC is just one of those places where the conditions can sometimes be perfect, and needed, by both groups.

Probably the simplest thing would be a flag that flies when dory boats are launching or coming in, when the first person launches, they raise the flag, and then no one is allowed to surf south of a buoy line the rest of the day. Something simple, so that a kid from eastern oregon who is young and probably didn't have a clue about the dangers of dory boats is not put in danger. If a flag doesn't work, then at least buoys or a marker that says don't surf beyond this point, cause if you do, a boat might hit you. I think a fixed warning would go a long way, I don't think the boy was surfing in that spot because he was selfish, he was there because he didn't know better, and the conditions were probably less challenging there, which is why the dory boats need to use that spot too.

Also, I have to say that big waves are always dangerous for people not used to the ocean. About 10 years ago during the spring, 5 guys came over from eastern oregon college and launched a rubber raft somewhere around boiler bay, and the swell was running 12 feet that day. They were immediately sucked out into the break, no one wearing a life jacket, two recovered by the CG, one died in the air.

I don't know how many signs or warning lights or regulations could ever be put in place to prevent something like that from happening. It was just sheer lack of knowledge.

But a very simple "Don't surf beyond these buoys if the flag is up" would go a long way.

By the way, they were able to attach the poor kid's arm. News came out after I posted. Thank God, hope he recovers fully. What a trauma, and my hat is off to the ER doc and others there, I am convinced they saved his life, without them there he would have died.

In the end, it was a sad accident. Boater not to blame, surfer in a bad spot, but probably was completely ignorant of being in danger.

[nestucca]

I believe Mark is on the right track. We had buoy's in the surf a number of years ago, but they created a hazard for both surfers and dories. (and hard to maintain!) I have operated dories (they are not DORY BOATS, they are DORIES) out of PC (Cape Kiwanda) since 1964, (commercial, charter, and sport) and feel I have a pretty good handle on the situation at the Cape. I am in total favor of a 'physical safety line/zone' when dories are on the ocean. I was discussing the 'Channel Marker' concept with my wife when I came across Marks comments. It seems like it would be so simple to understand that if there is a dory trailer in the dory launch parking area, that the 'safety zone' is in effect. The safest markers would be as Mark described... Two LARGE markers. One on the fore dune and one on the dry sand, on the beach. As you come ashore with a dory, you stay North of the markers, if you are surfing, you stay South of the markers. When there are no dory trailers on the beach, the ocean is open game. It's not a 'possession or ownership' issue, it is a common sense share and safety issue. Dory name... "BAYLEE II"

[fishkisser]

Originally Posted by Deeman

I dont know if it is the same now as thirty years ago when I was running my boat commercially and surfing off that beach, but there used to be a cement pilar and sign on the beach that said no vehicles not launching a dory beyond this point. So they can close portions of the beach to people not engaged in launching or recovering a dory. Further, it was at least not encouraged and maybe illegal (memory fails) to launch south of the ramp. I am going to take a hard line on this one. Surfing north of the ramp is EXACTLY like playing on an airpport runway. What makes anyone think it is a good idea or even OK to go play where boats are running on plane with limited visibilty and manuverability? Does that sound like a good idea to anyone? That is exactly what some are suggesting. In the seventies there were some surfers that would on occasion be found north of the ramp and they were encouraged to move south, most times not nicely. What happened is a tragedy for the young man but one that could have been easily avoided with common sense. You feel entitled to play in the water where people are running boats at speed, go ahead but dont be suprised or outraged when you end up wearing one for a hat. The fix is easy. NO SURFERS NORTH OF THE RAMP. Problem solved. The only reason they are up there is because with a south swell the can ride the sluice along the stools back out. The wave profile is not significantly different 200 yards south, just the amount of work required to get back out. Again if you want to run with the bulls in Pamplona dont start crying when you get gored. The fact that accidents like this are such a rarity is a testament to the skill and willingness of the dorymen to put themselves at risk to accomodate the selfishness of the surfing community.

Wow ... You really should be on the negotiating committee for the dorymen ...
I'm sure everyone will agree with your sensible solution to keep those darn surfers where they belong ...

[Eastside Dave]

This looks to be very, very good news:


Bend teen's arm reattached after surfing accident


05:52 PM PDT on Monday, July 7, 2008


By kgw.com Staff


PACIFIC CITY, Ore. -- A 14-year-old boy from Bend underwent emergency surgery Sunday to reattach his arm after it was severed in a collision with a dory boat off Pacific City.
Investigators said Cole Ortega was surfing with his 16-year-old sister and her boyfriend in eight- to ten-foot swells before he was struck by a dory boat returning to shore.

Fellow surfers were able to recover the boy’s arm and help the teen to shore, where two emergency room doctors who happened to be walking by began to administer aid.

"Only until he actually was helped up on to shore did I notice his arm was gone," surfer Paul Snodgrass told KGW.

Photo courtesy of Paul Snodgrass
A surfer believed to be the one that lost his arm in the accident.


Snodgrass said he witnessed a dory boat run over two surfers, but the first surfer was not injured.

Ortega is from Bend and known in the area as a top performer on the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation snowboard team. An official with the High Cascade Snowboard Camp told KTVZ-TV in Bend that Ortega underwent surgery to reattach his arm and everything seemed to go well.

Slideshow: Scene of the surfing accident

"So far, it looks successful," Michele Schnake told KTVZ. "They are watching for signs of infection." He added that Ortega's fellow snowboarders were praying for him.

Photo courtesy KTVZ in Bend.
Cole Ortega in a past snowboarding competition.


An Oregon Trooper happened to be in the area when the accident happened and he was able to carry the boy off the beach to a waiting ambulance.

The boy was taken to Tillamook County General Hospital and then air lifted to Emanuel Hospital in Portland.

Darrel Martin, 55, of Beaver was operating the dory boat. He was not charged.

Paul Hanneman, chairman of the Doryman's Association, said that at the at the time of the accident, the swells were 10 to 15 feet high; in conditions like that, boaters often can't see surfers.

Dorymen normally try to blow their horns to warn the surfers of thir approach, Hanneman said. Some witnessess said the boater did sound his horn while others said he did not.

The Tillamook County Sheriff is investigating the accident.

Due to high surf and many surfers and dory boats on the water, Tillamook County Deputies and State Troopers asked all surfers to leave the ocean so the dorys could come to shore.

The accident happened just before 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

[Fast Water]

[lake creek charlie]

I dont know the surfer, but i do know darrel and i pray that this incident turns out better than it looks now. Darrel is an experienced boater, and this is definitely an accident. at least they were able to reattach his arm . SAD

[PC Silver Streak]

This would make great sense for everybody (both user groups).

[PIR8 Hook]

Note: the traditional sign, (maintained by the state) that reads,
"DANGER-HIGH SPEED BOATS LANDING BEYOND THIS POINT" will be replaced this week.

I also remember a Thursday in the 60's where a freak swell came up. My dad was out in his double ender that day. 5 dorys capsized that day. The few surfers there that day, quit surfing and were helping recover floating boat contents & were standing by to help with people. Dad bearly made it in w/o capsizing too. He filled his boat (& his pants). My, how things have changed!

When I sound my horn, the surfers USUALLY sit up on their board and give me something about 3' to see instead of laying on it where their profile is around 1'. This helps but in 10'-15' surf even 3 feet might not be enough.

Again, the dorys MUST come in there. We don't have physical markers like jetties but the requirement is the same. If surfers were trying to catch the big ebb tide breakers at ANY OTHER port what would you say?

[PC Silver Streak]

Originally Posted by PIR8 Hook

Note: the traditional sign, (maintained by the state) that reads,
"DANGER-HIGH SPEED BOATS LANDING BEYOND THIS POINT" will be replaced this week.

I also remember a Thursday in the 60's where a freak swell came up. My dad was out in his double ender that day. 5 dorys capsized that day. The few surfers there that day, quit surfing and were helping recover floating boat contents & were standing by to help with people. Dad bearly made it in w/o capsizing too. He filled his boat (& his pants). My, how things have changed!

When I sound my horn, the surfers USUALLY sit up on their board and give me something about 3' to see instead of laying on it where their profile is around 1'. This helps but in 10'-15' surf even 3 feet might not be enough.

Again, the dorys MUST come in there. We don't have physical markers like jetties but the requirement is the same. If surfers were trying to catch the big ebb tide breakers at ANY OTHER port what would you say?

Did you read the above everybody...surfers can be beneficial (at certain times/situations) to dorymen and vice versa. We just somehow (signage, marked areas, sounding horns, etc.) need to better communicate in order to coexist.

[PC Silver Streak]

Originally Posted by nestucca

I believe Mark is on the right track. We had buoy's in the surf a number of years ago, but they created a hazard for both surfers and dories. (and hard to maintain!) I have operated dories (they are not DORY BOATS, they are DORIES) out of PC (Cape Kiwanda) since 1964, (commercial, charter, and sport) and feel I have a pretty good handle on the situation at the Cape. I am in total favor of a 'physical safety line/zone' when dories are on the ocean. I was discussing the 'Channel Marker' concept with my wife when I came across Marks comments. It seems like it would be so simple to understand that if there is a dory trailer in the dory launch parking area, that the 'safety zone' is in effect. The safest markers would be as Mark described... Two LARGE markers. One on the fore dune and one on the dry sand, on the beach. As you come ashore with a dory, you stay North of the markers, if you are surfing, you stay South of the markers. When there are no dory trailers on the beach, the ocean is open game. It's not a 'possession or ownership' issue, it is a common sense share and safety issue. Dory name... "BAYLEE II"

This would make great sense for everybody (both user groups).

[km76]

The one thing that puzzles me is that one of the reasons that we launch there is that the cape shelters us from the surf. Yes there is days that a south swell makes it pretty big but all in all it stays preety small this time of year. why would this be a good place to surf.

[Joe C]

Originally Posted by km76

why would this be a good place to surf.

bigger isn't always better with surf spots. good conditions are the main thing. The point break gives people long rides too. I'd imagine that it stays sheltered from winds a bit too.

[nwsteelheader]

Keep in mind this issue isn't just about surfers.

It is also about the regular beachgoer. A 3 year old kid standing ankle deep in the surf near the cape is also at risk of being creamed. You think they know to get out of the way?

So yes, surfers and others (kids, dogs, parents, grandparents) are playing in the landing strip. But that is where the access is and that is where the people will go. the Tidepools are right there, the dune is there. Many of the natural attractions revolve around that 100 yards of beach. Prime real estate you might say.

Add in a 3 day weekend to the mix:
Dories come from near and far.
Beachgoers come from near and far.
Surfers come from near and far.
This is a volatile mix.

And yes dories have been landing there for a long time. But 75 years ago they were pulling on oars and weren't likely to run anyone over. They weren't running 50hp Honda 4 strokes. And 75 years ago there were people standing on the beach, playing in the surf exploring the tide pools. Actually 150 years ago there were people standing on the beach exploring the tide pools and playing in the surf. There were native fishing villages in the area. So which came first, the chicken or the egg?

The resource will have to be shared.
Communication will have to improve.
People will have to become better educated.
Signage and simple fixes like blowing horns prior to landing will go a long way to prevent future tragedies.

Closures and excluding user groups is not a good solution. And if the "We were here first" argument starts up, the pedestrians will win over the honda 4 strokes, and Lorraine Eckhard of Hebo, Oregon has hundreds of historical pictures to prove it.


Shawn

PS

I don't ever want dories to be excluded from landing on that strip of beach. Some day I hope to run a dory off of that beach just like my grandfather did with the dories he hand made in the 60's and 70's.

[Joe C]

Nice points Shawn.

One interesting thing I read in the Oregonian today was that the Marine Board regulations state that any boat coming within 200 feet of surfers or swimmers must meet a 5 mph speed limit.

It seems near impossible to land a Dory at a speed under 5 mph if there is any size to the surf at all. And if there is decent surf, there will almost always be a surfer within 200 feet of a Dory coming in. By both allowing the mixed use of the area and having a 5 mph speed limit, the law is basically impossible to follow.

[dre5063]

First and foremost..God's Speed to all involved.

Secondly, there are receivers at small airports that turn on runway lights when radio transmissions on a certain frequency are received. Maybe a system with lights or siren that sounds when a boat keys up on a marine frequency to signal ALL on the beach of an incoming boat. Surfers don't seem to be the only problem and nobody is to blame.

[nestucca]

Originally Posted by nwsteelheader

Keep in mind this issue isn't just about surfers.

It's not about the 'chicken or the egg' Shawn, it's about trying to come up with a REALISTIC practice that will prevent this type accident from reoccurring.
I hope the 'three year olds' have an adult with them?
You see Shawn, our biggest saftey problem is that the surfers can not always hear the boat horns, and the boat operators can not always see the surfer. And the clincher is... the surfer can not always see and/or hear alerts from the beach. (ask the surfers that couldn't hear the sheriff sirin and P.A. last Sunday?) If you can not see or hear, or be warned of a hazard, it's a problem that needs to be addressed. People on the beach CAN be alerted by other people on the beach, so that is fixable. Wouldn't you think giving up a very small portion of the surf, so EVERYBODY can still recreate safely, is a realistic trade-off? Thanks for thinking about this.
PS. Her name is spelled Eckhardt. (there's a 'd' in there)
Thanks. nestucca

Shawn's view.........
It is also about the regular beachgoer. A 3 year old kid standing ankle deep in the surf near the cape is also at risk of being creamed. You think they know to get out of the way?

So yes, surfers and others (kids, dogs, parents, grandparents) are playing in the landing strip. But that is where the access is and that is where the people will go. the Tidepools are right there, the dune is there. Many of the natural attractions revolve around that 100 yards of beach. Prime real estate you might say.

Add in a 3 day weekend to the mix:
Dories come from near and far.
Beachgoers come from near and far.
Surfers come from near and far.
This is a volatile mix.

And yes dories have been landing there for a long time. But 75 years ago they were pulling on oars and weren't likely to run anyone over. They weren't running 50hp Honda 4 strokes. And 75 years ago there were people standing on the beach, playing in the surf exploring the tide pools. Actually 150 years ago there were people standing on the beach exploring the tide pools and playing in the surf. There were native fishing villages in the area. So which came first, the chicken or the egg?

The resource will have to be shared.
Communication will have to improve.
People will have to become better educated.
Signage and simple fixes like blowing horns prior to landing will go a long way to prevent future tragedies.

Closures and excluding user groups is not a good solution. And if the "We were here first" argument starts up, the pedestrians will win over the honda 4 strokes, and Lorraine Eckhard of Hebo, Oregon has hundreds of historical pictures to prove it.


Shawn

PS

I don't ever want dories to be excluded from landing on that strip of beach. Some day I hope to run a dory off of that beach just like my grandfather did with the dories he hand made in the 60's and 70's.

[USCGBoating]

Originally Posted by Joe C

Nice points Shawn.

One interesting thing I read in the Oregonian today was that the Marine Board regulations state that any boat coming within 200 feet of surfers or swimmers must meet a 5 mph speed limit.

It seems near impossible to land a Dory at a speed under 5 mph if there is any size to the surf at all. And if there is decent surf, there will almost always be a surfer within 200 feet of a Dory coming in. By both allowing the mixed use of the area and having a 5 mph speed limit, the law is basically impossible to follow.

This regulation quoted by the Marine Board only applies in designated swimming areas.

This will be an issue the state will decide how to manage. I have read a lot of opinion and speculation but consider this. The area on the beach where the dories land is in effect a navigable channel just like on the Columbia and other rivers or estuaries. It has a well established history of being a harbor enterance.

There are established rules for situations like this and the surfers, who have a right to surf there, do not have the right to obstruct safe navigation. This accident is a prime example why we have these rules. It is no different than having a boat anchored in the channel when a deep draft is transiting on the Columbia and the anchored vessel has to pick up and move out of the channel. The big question is how do we achieve that process and relationship between the two parties at Pacific City. I think it can be done.

I too have had some experience fishing a dory at Pacific City and fully realize the hazards both parties face. I like the range marker idea and I will pass that on. I know the state will work toward making this safe and still usable to all involved but it will just take some understanding and establishment of some hard fast rules. It seems to me that right now we have a difference of opinion on how it all works or should work. Best thing is to take this tragedy and turn it into something positive that will benifit everone and keep it from happening again.

Dan

[PC Silver Streak]

Originally Posted by USCGBoating

This regulation quoted by the Marine Board only applies in designated swimming areas.

This will be an issue the state will decide how to manage. I have read a lot of opinion and speculation but consider this. The area on the beach where the dories land is in effect a navigable channel just like on the Columbia and other rivers or estuaries. It has a well established history of being a harbor enterance.

There are established rules for situations like this and the surfers, who have a right to surf there, do not have the right to obstruct safe navigation. This accident is a prime example why we have these rules. It is no different than having a boat anchored in the channel when a deep draft is transiting on the Columbia and the anchored vessel has to pick up and move out of the channel. The big question is how do we achieve that process and relationship between the two parties at Pacific City. I think it can be done.

I too have had some experience fishing a dory at Pacific City and fully realize the hazards both parties face. I like the range marker idea and I will pass that on. I know the state will work toward making this safe and still usable to all involved but it will just take some understanding and establishment of some hard fast rules. It seems to me that right now we have a difference of opinion on how it all works or should work. Best thing is to take this tragedy and turn it into something positive that will benifit everone and keep it from happening again.

Dan

Dan, Thank you for your comments here, it is appreciated!

[Joe C]

Originally Posted by USCGBoating

This regulation quoted by the Marine Board only applies in designated swimming areas.

This will be an issue the state will decide how to manage. I have read a lot of opinion and speculation but consider this. The area on the beach where the dories land is in effect a navigable channel just like on the Columbia and other rivers or estuaries. It has a well established history of being a harbor enterance.

There are established rules for situations like this and the surfers, who have a right to surf there, do not have the right to obstruct safe navigation. This accident is a prime example why we have these rules. It is no different than having a boat anchored in the channel when a deep draft is transiting on the Columbia and the anchored vessel has to pick up and move out of the channel. The big question is how do we achieve that process and relationship between the two parties at Pacific City. I think it can be done.

I too have had some experience fishing a dory at Pacific City and fully realize the hazards both parties face. I like the range marker idea and I will pass that on. I know the state will work toward making this safe and still usable to all involved but it will just take some understanding and establishment of some hard fast rules. It seems to me that right now we have a difference of opinion on how it all works or should work. Best thing is to take this tragedy and turn it into something positive that will benifit everone and keep it from happening again.

Dan

Thanks for the clarification Dan. If it isn't a designated swim area, and functions as a navigable channel, surfing never should have been allowed there in the first place IMO. A few signs 100 yards on either side of the channel would have been easy enough to put up to avoid this. Seems like awfully poor planning to expect Dorys to navigate through scattered surfers in anything other than flat conditions. And it's hard for the surfers to stay out of the way as well, a good wipe out during a big set... you're paddling back out just trying to get out past the break so you aren't caught inside.... it's easy to get disoriented and lose track of where the dorys are/were.

I'm wondering if some attorney is already working for the family to go after the regulatory agencies in this case.