At approximately 11:30am Friday, October 2nd, the Station received a report from a nearby ranger from the U.S. Forrest Service at Rocky Creek state park regarding a distressed man in the water and quickly alerted watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay.
A man, later identified as 40 year old James White, had fallen from the rocks into the ocean and was struggling.
A 47 ft. Motor Life Boat was immediately launched, arrived on scene in less than 10 minutes and threw a life line to White in the water before safely pulling the man from the frigid water aboard the rescue boat.
The U.S. Coast Guard crew administered initial first aid and worked to warm White who had reportedly suffered minor lacerations and mild hypothermia while transiting back to the Coast Guard station.
After arriving back to the U.S. Coast Guard Station dock, White’s care was handed over to awaiting Depoe Bay Fire Department and emergency medical personnel.
“The quick notification by the park ranger to alert us to the person in distress helped ensure an extremely rapid response,” said Chief Petty Officer Ryan Clendenen, the officer-in-charge at Station Depoe Bay. “It was an incredibly fast and smooth rescue. Everyone here holds a strong bias for action and that teamwork is what help get this man out of danger in less than twenty minutes.”
