PPRuNe Forums - Helicopter, tug to try to budge boat

Friday, January 23, 2004 1:02 PM PST

A 78-foot-long fishing vessel remains aground today north of Gold Beach after a 6-foot surf forced it ashore early Thursday morning.

At 3:30 a.m., the Pacific Future radioed the U.S. Coast Guard stating the boat was in danger of running aground, according to Coast Guard press release. Shortly afterward, the vessel ran aground and the Coast Guard responded with a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Chetco River and an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Group/Air Station North Bend.

The Coast Guard dispatched a truck with additional personnel to the beach where the fishing boat was disabled, as well as a marine casualty investigator to monitor the incident.

None of the Pacific Future's four crew members was injured in the accident, the report added.

A tugboat from Sause Bros. Ocean Towing in Coos Bay and a privately owned helicopter are scheduled to attempt to free the vessel at about noon today, when the next high tide is expected, according to Lt. Peter Jones of Group North Bend. Weather could slow the work, particularly low clouds and fog.

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