[OSMB-News] News Release -Multnomah County Marine Patrol Honored for Saving Lives

[Massey, Ashley]

For Immediate Release                                                                 Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Multnomah County Marine Patrol Honored for Saving Lives

                The Oregon State Marine Board recognized several marine patrol deputies and the sheriff's office marine mechanic for their live saving efforts during the 2010 boating season at the Marine Board's annual Marine Law Enforcement Conference held in Bend, on October 19.
                In two separate incidents, several lives were saved due to Multnomah County Marine Patrol members taking on personal risk and going above and beyond their duties, to rescue three victims in dangerous situations.
[cid:image005.png at 01CB7B5E.29E42170]                The first incident, on January 5, 2010, a 30' sailboat ran aground in extremely violent weather.  The victim had to spend the night on a nearby island after his first 911 call was misrouted.  The next day, another 911 call sent and received by deputies Kevin McAfee and Steve Dangler, who immediately responded.  High winds and waves continued to batter the grounded sailboat and dangerous, shallow water prevented the patrol boat from being able to maneuver near the victim.  McAfee and Dangler decided to try to reach the victim by swimming 100 yards and hiking one mile to get to him.  When they found the victim, he was cold and tired, but otherwise unhurt.  McAfee and Dangler outfitted the victim in a dry suit and life jacket, and helped the victim swim back to the anchored patrol boat.  The victim later stated, "Maybe I didn't plan so well."  Deputies McAfee and Dangler relied on extensive surface water rescue training, clear thinking and teamwork that resulted in a positive outcome.  "Congratulations to Deputies Kevin McAfee and Stephen Dangler for a job well done," said Scott Brewen, Director of the Marine Board.
[cid:image006.png at 01CB7B5E.29E42170]                In another incident, on July 11, 2010, Multnomah County marine mechanic Fred Washburn and his family were boating and tied up to the transient dock off Sandy Beach on Government Island when a man started yelling from the dock toward the water, which grabbed Washburn's attention.  Two females had entered the water and were struggling in the swift Columbia River current.  The conditions and 65 degree water temperature quickly took their toll on the victims as they struggled to stay afloat.  Neither victim was wearing a life jacket.  Washburn, without hesitation, boarded his inflatable boat and single-handedly retrieved both victims onto the boat and took them to shore.  With quick action and decisive thinking, Washburn's actions clearly helped avoid tragedy that day.  The victims could have easily succumbed to cold water immersion and drowned.  "Washburn was truly at the right place, at the right time," said Brewen.  "Congratulations for a job well done."
                For more information about the Marine Board's law enforcement boating safety partnerships and programs, visit www.boatoregon.com<http://www.boatoregon.com>.
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Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623 (office)
503-302-1049 (mobile)
Ashley.massey at state.or.us<mailto:Ashley.massey at state.or.us>
www.boatoregon.com<http://www.boatoregon.com>
www.twitter/marineboard<http://www.twitter/marineboard>
We're also on Facebook!

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