Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment motor lifeboat Triumph crew rescues distressed fishing vessel near Astoria, Ore., Wednesday

ASTORIA, Ore. - A crewmember aboard 52-foot motor lifeboat Triumph from Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash., keeps watch over a vessel in tow near the Columbia River entrance Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. The crew aboard Triumph successfully towed the distressed fishing vessel to Astoria, Ore. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Station Cape Disappointment

ASTORIA, Ore. - The Coast Guard towed a distressed fishing vessel to safety in Astoria Wednesday.

Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash., received a call from the fishing vessel Steve C, stating the vessel had lost steering approximately 21 miles northwest of Clatsop Spit, Ore., Wednesday morning.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, Ore., determined the vessel to be in distress due to its inability to safely maneuver in the inclement weather. Station Cape Disappointment launched a six-man crew aboard the 52-foot motor lifeboat Triumph at approximately 1 p.m.

The crew transited through 10-14 foot swells for an hour and a half before reaching the fishing vessel and taking it in tow. The Steve C held approximately 22 tons of catch onboard.

Once in tow, the crew of Triumph successfully towed the vessel back across the Columbia River bar through 14-18 foot swells, put the Steve C safely to the pier and moored at Station Cape Disappointment at approximately 1 a.m., Thursday.

No injuries were reported.

For more information, please contact the 13^th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Detachment Astoria at (503) 861-6132

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