Date: Oct. 5, 2001

For Immediate Release

Tillamook Bay Claims Another Angler

As long as anglers have come to Tillamook Bay in search of big fall chinook, anglers have fallen victim to her unpredictable waters. On Wednesday, Oct. 3, an angler diverted his attention for a few moments to help a fellow angler untangle fishing line from his motor. Seconds later, and too close to shore, a swell carried his boat into surf, capsizing it and throwing the operator into the water.

A Coast Guard crew recovered the 38-year-old male 14 minutes later - a rescue made more difficult by the shallow water and surf - but he could not be resuscitated. "The weather was good, the water wasn't particularly rough. The victim was just too close to shore," said Tillamook Sheriff Sergeant Andy Long.

The victim apparently wasn't wearing a life jacket either, said Long. Accidents will always happen - the life jacket is the last line of defense and is an effective one, according to the Oregon State Marine Board. "We've lost 13 boaters this year and 12 were not wearing life jackets," said Randy Henry, of the Marine Board. "We lost two boaters last fall just off the tip of Tillamook's south jetty. They, too, weren't wearing life jackets. It's very likely that all would have survived if they had been wearing them."

Henry suggests that anglers take a hard look at their options and their priorities before boating. "There are so many types of life jackets now and many are very comfortable. If you're someone who won't wear a life jacket because they're bulky or restrictive or too warm, purchase an inflatable life jacket and wear it whenever you're in a boat. In the ocean, we recommend heavier life jackets that keep your head well out of the water and also protect against hypothermia. But in most situations where quick rescue is likely, an inflatable life jacket would buy you additional time until help arrives. Trying to tread water or swim in the surf is nearly impossible. In that situation, any type of approved life jacket greatly increases your odds of survival."

Sergeant Long urges boaters to provide extra space between them and hazards such as rocks, surf or the bar. "Don't fish on the bar. Either go outside or stay inside. Provide enough room between you and the jetty so if you do have a problem, you have time to react."

Tillamook Bar isn't the only hazardous bar in the state. "In fact, every bar on Oregon's coast is potentially hazardous and deserves serious respect - the smaller your boat, the more cautious you should be. Wear your life jacket, carry a marine radio in case you get in trouble, and be aware of local hazards and tides. Don't fish the mouth of a bay on an outgoing tide - things can get rough very quickly," said Henry.

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