Video Release

ASTORIA, Ore. – Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash., rescues two people approximately 7 miles from the Columbia River entrance by dewatering and towing their sinking vessel to shore Sunday. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Ore., received a report that the 50-foot sailing vessel Flying Dragon was taking on water with failed engines and two people on board approximately 7 miles southwest of the Columbia River entrance at approximately 12:50 p.m. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Cimarossa

ASTORIA, Ore. – Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, Wash., rescued two people approximately 7 miles from the Columbia River entrance by dewatering and towing their sinking vessel to shore Sunday.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Ore., received a report that the 50-foot sailing vessel Flying Dragon was taking on water with failed engines and two people on board approximately 7 miles southwest of the Columbia River entrance at approximately 12:50 p.m.

Station Cape Disappointment launched a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew. The crew arrived on scene and transported a dewatering pump and a crewmember to the Flying Dragon. The crewmember used the pump to dewater approximately 500 gallons from the sailing vessel and returned to the 47-foot motor lifeboat. The 47-foot motor lifeboat crew took the Flying Dragon in tow. The sailing vessel once again began to take on water and the crew aboard Flying Dragon was unable to get the dewatering pump to work.

The 47-foot motor lifeboat crew dropped tow with the sailing vessel and transported a crewmember to the vessel who successfully activated the dewatering pump. The crewmember used the pump to dewater approximately 1000 gallons from the vessel. The crewmember remained aboard the Flying Dragon with the pump working properly and the 47-foot motor lifeboat crew once again took the vessel in tow.

Station Cape Disappointment launched a second 47-foot motor lifeboat crew to assist. The first 47-foot motor lifeboat crew continued to tow the Flying Dragon while the second closely monitored the status of the sailing vessel.

The Flying Dragon was towed to Ilwaco where it was moored at approximately 6:10 p.m. The Port of Ilwaco is working to remove it from the water.

No injuries have been reported.

For more information, please contact Petty Officer 3^rd Class Nate Littlejohn at (816) 582-1725