Coast Guard rescues 49 passengers Aboard Whale Watching Vessel after Becoming Disabled in Yaquina Bay Bar

By The U.S. Coast Guard

ASTORIA, Ore. – The Coast Guard rescued a whale watching vessel with 49 passengers aboard after it became disabled in the coastal bar near Newport, Wednesday.

The captain of the 62-foot Discovery sent out a ‘mayday’ call to the Coast Guard after the vessel began producing excessive smoke and lost propulsion while in between the Yaquina Bay jetties at approximately 12:45 p.m.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River immediately dispatched two boat crews from Station Yaquina Bay aboard 47-foot Motor Life Boats. They arrived on scene within 8 minutes of the initial distress call.

Once on scene, the rescue crews placed the Discovery into a side tow. They transited eastbound and returned to the pier where they were met by the Newport Fire Department and Pacific West Ambulance. The vessel was moored at 1:30 p.m.

All passengers and crew disembarked to allow fire fighters to assess the vessel. There were no medical concerns and there was no fire aboard the vessel. By 2 p.m., all responding crews stood down.

“Our crews at Station Yaquina Bay had a great response to this call,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Kapsar. “Our communications watchstander received the ‘mayday’ call, immediately activated the SAR alarm, and we were on scene in under 10 minutes. We launched two boats due to the number of passengers on board and the severity of the incident. We were able to quickly get the Discovery back to her moorage where we were met by our local fire and EMS counterparts. This rescue highlights the importance of our interagency relationships. Station members train for incidents such as this, and we’re glad that we were able to get everyone back safely.”

A coastal bar is a navigational hazard formed where river currents meet the ocean. Sand and sediment from the river build up at its mouth, creating a shallow, underwater barrier. The interaction of these opposing currents and the ocean swell creates turbulent and unpredictable water conditions. Waves and strong currents can capsize a boat if it is not handled correctly, especially when caught broadside to the waves.