Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District



Press Release Date: July 5, 2005
Contact: PA3 Jeff Pollinger (206) 391-6591


COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO 95 CALLS FOR HELP DURING HOLIDAY WEEKEND

SEATTLE - Coast Guard units along the Washington and Oregon coast
responded to nearly 100 search and rescue cases during the July 4th
holiday weekend.

Coast Guard motor lifeboats, cutters and aircraft were involved in a
total of 95 cases, including the search for survivors after a private
airplane crashed near Lopez Island, Wash., Saturday. The Coast Guard
also responded to a boat that struck a fish pen Saturday near
Bainbridge Island, Wash. The two people aboard the boat were injured
and treated by emergency medical technicians.

Sunday, Coast Guard Station Bellingham, Wash., received a call after
the vessel Yahtzee reported an engine room fire. The fire was
extinguished and the vessel was safely towed to a nearby dock.

Monday, an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter safely hoisted a hiker from Otter
Rock near Depot Bay, Ore.

Many of the cases during the Independence Day weekend were due to
unprepared boaters whose batteries died, engines suffered mechanical
failure and who had poor situational awareness. Boaters can improve the
safety of their voyage by taking a boating safty courses and getting a
free vessel saftey check from the Coast Guard Auxilliary. The Coast
Guard would like to remind beachgoers that climbing on rocks and cliifs
is extremely dangerous and places themselves and their rescuers in
extreme danger. For more information about the importance of boating
safety contact Dan Shipman, 13th Coast Guard District boating safety
specialist, at 206-220-7257.

For a photo of the vessel that struck a fish pen Saturday click on the
following link. Official U.S. Coast Guard photo.
https://www.piersystem.com/clients/u...0.645910988968

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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service
within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and
security of America.