At approximately 10:30am Thursday morning, watchstanders in the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Command Center received a 911 transfer via California Highway Patrol from a vessel that had capsized off the mouth of the Klamath River.
The vessel’s operator reported that his boat had just capsized and he was in the water with 3 other passengers, some with injuries.
A Sector Humboldt Bay MH65 helicopter aircrew, 47′ Motor Life Boat crews from both Station Chetco River and Station Humboldt Bay, as well as assistance from Del Norte Sheriff’s Office were immediately dispatched to scene.
After the U.S. Coast Guard aircrew navigated thick fog banks and low ceilings to arrive on scene, all 4 survivors were located clinging to the overturned hull. A rescue swimmer was deployed and triaged the first two injured survivors and the flight mechanic hoisted them safely aboard the helicopter.
The Sheriff boat then arrived on scene, and the swimmer transferred the remaining two survivors to the boat before being hoisted back aboard the MH65 ‘Dolphin’ helicopter and treating the injured individuals en route to Crescent City.
All four survivors were transferred to Emergency Medical Services in stable condition and no further information has been made available.
