Surfer Rescued! I think Chris and Mike are heroes!

And so, on this 4th of July, Christine has a story to tell.


Chris was able to spend the morning riding along on the boat that Mike was deckhanding for. That would be the Morning Star, a member of the Tradewind Charter's fleet out of Depoe Bay.



They had 13 fishermen on board for a crab and bottom fish trip.


Chris was able to ride up on the top deck with the Captain while Mike worked below on deck with the customers.




This is Captain Rick. He seems very professional and knowledgeable of the ocean.


This is Christine and Mike. They along with Capt. Rick are key players in today's drama. ...and of course, the surfer dude.



It all began as Chris was up on the top deck visiting with the Capt. She was also helping spot. They were heading northwest of Depoe Bay. They were near the Inn at Spanish Head. Then, she saw something in the near distance that made her keep a sharp eye out. She watched it for some time but couldn't quite figure out what it was, she said. There were lots of scientific buoys in the area. It looked kind of like one of those. That is the conclusion she and the Capt. came to. They continued onward to collect their crab pots...just as another boat had done. Shortly there after, the Coast Guard came on the radio asking fishermen to be on the lookout for a missing surfer. Christine immediately told the Captain that that was what they had seen and suggested he turn around. Yep! It was the surfer. His wife had called the Coast Guard. They sent out a helicopter to help spot him. But as Chris said, the wetsuit the guy wore was dark in color. He was very hard to see amidst the swells. In fact, one other boat passed him up as did the CG helicopter! Chris is adament that anyone surfing (especially her brother) NEEDS to be wearing a brightly colored wet suit so that in such a situation, they can be seen!!


The Morning Star made it to the surfer. Chris did not know how long he had been in the water. He had caught a rip tide which dragged him about a mile out to sea. He had spent a lot of energy paddling and attempting to swim. He was in the water holding onto his surf board.
Mike threw the guy a line as the Captain pulled along side the board.
Mike hooked the ladder to the side of the boat and proceded to pull the surfer towards the ladder. He lifted him onboard.





The helicopter hoovered directly over the boat waiting to hear if he needed to be airlifted. He did not. Mike and probably Chris helped get the guy out of his cold wetsuit and into a pair of the Captain's sweats and jacket. He needed to get warm. He was in mild shock. and scared.
He threw up salt water several times.



Christine said that they then went and pulled up the crab pots. Once that was done, a Coast Guard vessel escorted them into the bay at Depoe Bay.


Whew! A successful rescue. Chris said it was a "text book" rescue. She was very very proud of Mike. He did an awesome job of taking care of the guy, asking the right first aid questions for hypothermia and stuff.
She was slightly impressed that she actually got to use her "rescue" training, too.

Heroes they are....the crew of the Morning Star...Mike, Chris, and Rick!They made a wife and family happy this 4th of July, 2010.