S. Oregon Coast Fire Captain Describes Harrowing Rescue at Stranded Ship Near Port Orford

Published 01/12/26 at 6:55 p.m. - Updated 01/12/26 at 11:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Port, Orford, Oregon) – A variety of rescue agencies from all over the south Oregon coast responded Sunday morning in the overnight hours to a fishing vessel stranded on the beach, having to retrieve three men and two dogs from a dangerously-pitching ship. (Photo courtesy Sixes River Fire Dept)

The beach access at Paradise Point is currently closed – and will be for awhile – as salvage efforts are now underway for the F/V Texas Lady, after it became trapped on the sands.

How or why it became stuck is not known at this point, and officials say be cautious of the speculation online.

The US Coast Guard (USCG) told Oregon Coast Beach Connection it began in the wee hours of January 11, as the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a MAYDAY call from the 67-foot commercial fishing vessel, Texas Lady.

“The vessel had three people on board and had been anchored prior to grounding,” the USCG said.

Responding to the Texas Lady were the Sixes River Volunteer Fire Department, Sixes River Fire SCARR team (search and rescue dive team), Port Orford Fire Department RFPD, Cal Or Ambulance, and the US Coast Guard.

Ashley Moore, a captain with the Sixes River Volunteer Fire Department, talked to Oregon Coast Beach Connection at length on the ordeal, describing a rather harrowing set of events.

“That area is quite dangerous,” she said. “People die there almost every year.”

There is a horrendous undertow in that spot, compounded by a marine shelf, but making all this more hazardous was fairly large waves with sets about six seconds from each other. Also, it was an incoming tide. That left little time to conduct even quick rescue maneuvers like setting up a ladder against the ship so the crew could dart down.

Texas Lady still on the beach Monday: photo Dave Foley / Port Orford and PNW Whale Watchers

“That undertow there is bad,” Moore said. “You get sucked in there fast, and then the sand gets sucked out from underneath you and then you're just sent out to sea.”

The vessel itself was in a kind of manic motion. It was about ten feet high as well, higher than it looked in the videos, Moore said. Wave action here made even that more dangerous.

“The boat was rocking back and forth, and trying to get them off the boat was really difficult,” Moore said. “If you jumped off you would've twisted your ankle.”

One man aboard did get off that way, however, and in spite of the heavy waves was able to scramble onto shore. Moore said he was “runnin' for his life.”

Minor and major problems like this kept occurring, she said.

At one point, a boom on the vessel came loose and started swinging to the west, making for an extra danger. Yet overall the rescue went smoothly, once crews were able to overcome whatever new obstacle came their way.

Moore had particular praise for the USCG rescue swimmer and the helicopter pilot, who continuously risked much but performed exceptionally well. The helicopter had to dart off and refuel at one point. By the time they were pulling the remaining men off the boat, the pilot held the aircraft remarkably still, she said.

Then there were the two dogs to rescue. This actually occurred before they rescued the two men.

For that they got rather inventive.

"The Sixes SCARR team threw the rope line (the captain tied the end) and the Texas Lady crew put one dog's harness through the line to zip line," Moore said.

The other dog was small enough to put inside a bag that went down the line in the same manner, she said.

Moore had special thanks for the volunteers from the public, who even helped provide ATV's on scene.

The USCG said the owner will be working to handle the salvage of the vessel.

“The Coast Guard will continue to monitor and coordinate with the owner and local and state partners,” the agency said.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 

 

Holidays 2025 - 26: Giving the Oregon Coast Online
Cyber Monday or a quick call to give a night at the beach or fun gear. Hotel specials, hotel deals, Rockaway Beach hotel reviews, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Manzanita hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Pacific City hotel specials, Pacific City hotel reviews, Newport lodging deals, Newport hotel reviews

A Less Expensive May in Newport: Handful of Oregon Coast Inns Still Offering ...
Inn at Nye Beach, Nye Beach Cottages, Ocean House BnB: Newport hotel specials. Newport hotel reviews

What's Old is New Again on Oregon Coast: Inn of the Four Winds Reopens As New...
Some of the biggest ocean views in Seaside, historical charm. Seaside hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel review

Depoe Bay Hotels - Incredible Views, Wild Tides
Depoe Bay Hotels, Depoe Bay hotel reviews, outstanding places to stay

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Florence's Veterans Day Parade a Special One on Oregon Coast
18 Oct 2026 at 9:26pm
Returns to Old Town on Wednesday, November 11. Florence events

Finding the Fine Feathered Friends: Birds Right Now on Oregon Coast
6 Oct 2026 at 5:49pm
For fall: herons, egrets, bald eagles, jaegers, petrels, many others. Marine sciences, south Oregon coast, Bandon, Seaside, Warrenton

Mystical Even Mythical at One Oregon Coast Beach: 'Hairy' Rocks and Other Surreal Finds
19 Oct 2026 at 5:51am
A sea cave, glimpses of what's beneath Cannon Beach, wacky waves. Silver Point, Geology

Sharks and More Sharks: N. Oregon Coast Talk Delves Into Regional Research
25 Oct 2026 at 10:06pm
Friday, November 6 at the Pelican in Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach events

Two Deadly Crashes This Weekend Near Oregon Coast, Including 4-Month-Old Girl
23 Sep 2026 at 9:11am
One happened near Florence and the other outside of Myrtle Point near Bandon. Traffic, rescue

Newport Latest: Off-Limits Areas, Multiple Oregon Coast Agencies Involved in Fighting Fire
26 Oct 2026 at 9:49pm
Fire was put out at 6 pm: investigations, more

Yachats Mushroom Treasure Hunt Back for Winter: Little Glass Shroomies on Oregon Coast
26 Oct 2026 at 9:49pm
Now through February: find the discs that get you the artsy pieces

Seaside Event Digs Deep Into History of Oregon Coast's Highway 101
16 Oct 2026 at 9:24am
101 at 100 ? The History of Oregon?s Most Iconic Highway at Seaside Brewing on October 29

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted