https://gcaptain.com/dramatic-u-s-coast-guard-rescue-in-pacific-northwest-caught-on-video/
This happened in my local backyard and, this being a pretty quiet place, has generated a lot of local gossip and rumor. Apparently the “perp” (as they say) was wanted and actively sought by Canadian authorities (their Border Patrol?) which has generated a lot of uninformed speculation that drug running may have something to do with this whole event . Beside the weird fish leaving activity in Astoria, he stole a good sized boat from Astoria’s West Basin Marina and headed out over the Columbia River Bar. Problem was, the Bar was kicking up moderately nasty. But, because they love those kind of training conditions, the Coat Guard’s Cape Disappointment Lifeboat School had the fleet of 47’ MLB’s out for exercise. So beside the MLB that was dispatched in response to the perp’s Mayday (along w. the helo), you see several other 47’ MLBs circling the area. To someone who tries to stay OUT of the water when crossing this Bar, the videos are pretty incredible! But all in a day’s work for these rescue swimmer guys! And this one was just a finishing student! Obviously got a A on his final grade! This water is 52 deg. F. +/- all year long so if you’re not in a suit, you’re immobilized within just a few minutes and dead in not that many more! Exemplary as they are in SAR, the CG was a bit slow on the law enforcement side and hadn’t connected with the local police “bolos” for this guy or the stolen boat when they handed him off to the local hospital…which he signed himself out of promptly. Fortunately the nearby Seaside PD found the guy under an assumed name at a local warming shelter for the homeless! So he’s behind bars in Astoria now, awaiting seeing the judge on several local charges and a visit from some Canadian officers as well.