Coast Guard Encounters Large Waves in Rescue Off Central Oregon Coast - Video

Published 09/26/25 at 12:35 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Waldport, Oregon) – Early Tuesday, the central Oregon coast waters were the scene of a white-knuckled retrieval. A commercial fisherman was rescued that morning after his vessel capsized in rough surf near the entrance to the Alesa River, just south of Waldport.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a distress call at approximately 5:40 a.m. via VHF Channel 16 from the fishing vessel Ambition, reporting it had become disabled in the surf. Communication with the mariner ceased shortly after the initial mayday.

In response, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River in Astoria issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Yaquina Bay in Newport, along with an MH-65E Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend. The nearby commercial vessel Predator was also contacted and agreed to assist.

The helicopter crew was first to arrive on scene and determined aerial rescue was the safest option. A rescue swimmer was deployed and successfully hoisted the fisherman from the water. The crew assessed the man for mild hypothermia and transported him to Samaritan Hospital in Newport for further medical care.

The video shows some sizably tense moments, especially as a wave knocked the vessel around and caught the rescuer and fisherman.

A voice over the USCG coms is heard counting down a large incoming wave. As he reaches “one,” the wave immerses both individuals and the capsized vessel. The coms voice is heard noting both are under water at that point, but soon the pair are pulled out of the surf.

The rescue basket is lowered and then hoisted back up, moving somewhat wildly in the air just before it is brought under control.

Officials have not released the name of the fisherman, and the cause of the vessel’s capsizing remains under investigation.

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