Sailor Rescued off Tillamook

Along with the fall’s first major storm hitting the Oregon/Washington coasts this weekend also came the inevitable request for assistance by sailboat. On Saturday, Duane Jones of the Oak Harbor, WA-based 40-ft sailboat (make unknown) The Rock called the Coast Guard for a rescue 14 miles off Tillamook, Oregon. According to the Coasties, Jones no longer felt safe on his vessel in 30-knot winds and 20-ft seas. 

An MH-60 Jayhawk helo arrived on scene and proceeded to pluck Jones from the frigid North Pacific waters. Check out the video below for your daily dose of Brrrrrr!  

An uninjured Jones was taken to Air Station Astoria. At last word, The Rock was sailing north under autopilot. Air Station Astoria will conduct flyovers to try to locate the vessel so Jones might have an opportunity to recover her.

The strong system that pounded Oregon and Washington this weekend will abate and, by Thursday, be replaced by light southerlies. If you’re planning to leave the Pacific Northwest soon, be sure to keep a sharp eye out for the abandoned 40-footer!