Three rescued from capsized crab boat in Coos Bay, Oregon

Three fishermen who became trapped in their boat after it capsized off the coast of Oregon have been successfully rescued by local firefighters in cooperation with the US Coast Guard.

Local news outlets report that the 11-metre crab boat Pacific Miner with three crewmen on board capsized in the waters of Coos Bay due to strong waves at around 18:00 local time on Tuesday, January 14.

A Coast Guard Sector North Bend MH-65 Dolphin aircrew, flying on a routine training flight, spotted the capsized fishing vessel and immediately reported it to the Sector North Bend Command Center.

Shortly after receiving the report, the Sector North Bend Command Center received an electronic position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) transmission that was automatically activated when the Pacific Miner‘s own EPIRB was submerged in water. Two motor life boat crews from Coast Guard Station Coos Bay were then launched to assist in search efforts.

A rescue team from a local fire department managed to safely extricate the distressed fishermen from the capsized vessel after it came to rest on the rocks of a jetty. No injuries have been reported.

Coast guard officials said visibility in the area at the time of the capsizing had been limited to only six kilometres and that two- to three-metre-high waves have been reported.