The crew of a nearby good Samaritan F/V LADY NANCY pulled the individuals from the water and performed CPR on one person who was unresponsive. The U.S. Coast Guard later used a helicopter to hoist the group and transfer them to a hospital in Hoquiam, WA.
At least one person remained in serious condition after being transported to the hospital, and all were being treated for hypothermia.
Agencies Involved in this rescue include USCG Sector Columbia River watchstanders, Air Station Astoria, Station Grays Harbor, local firefighters, and the crew of the good Samaritan F/V LADY NANCY. A video of this heroic hoist can be seen at U.S. Coast Guard rescue.
The U.S. Coast Guard commended the actions of the good Samaritans and emphasized the critical role of safety equipment such as life jackets and personal locator beacons (PLBs).
The U.S. Coast Guard considers PLBs to be a vital piece of safety equipment. These devices belong to a broader group of emergency beacons that transmit at 406 megahertz, a frequency monitored by NOAA and coordinated internationally with several organizations and countries. Intended for personal use, PLBs must be activated by individuals during emergencies.
NOAA states that the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system has saved more than 84,000 lives since 1982, including over 10,000 rescues in the U.S. alone. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends choosing devices that are registered and comply with FCC and NOAA guidelines.