[OSMB-News] News Release -Marine Board Honors Hood River Marine Patrol Officers with Lifesaving Awards

[Massey, Ashley]

For Immediate Release                                 Date: Thursday, November 13, 2014

Marine Board Honors Hood River Marine Patrol Officers with Lifesaving Awards

[cid:image002.jpg at 01CFFF3F.8E75A190]              The Oregon State Marine Board honored Hood River County marine law enforcement deputies John Harvey and Sergeant Ricardo Casteneda for their life-saving efforts during the 2014 boating season.  With their skills, expertise, timing, and teamwork, a life was saved on the Columbia River.
            Kite boarders like wind, but it certainly adds complexity to a rescue, especially when the river is running high, there's three-foot chop and the water temperature is only 55 degrees.  These were the conditions on the Columbia River when Deputy John Harvey and Sgt. Ricardo Casteneda were called out to rescue a kite boarder in distress. The call came in at 5 pm on May 16, stating that a 53 year old female was wrapped around a navigation buoy near the White Salmon River.  Upon arriving, another kite boarder was attempting to cut the victim free.  The victim's kite lines wrapped around her back and a large branch was pinning her against the buoy. Each passing wave pulled her further down, her head was barely out of the water and she was cold and exhausted. Deputy Harvey maneuvered the boat in to cut the lines but the strong current, chop and wind prevented them from getting all the lines cut.
On the second attempt, Sgt. Castaneda was able to finish cutting lines and pull the victim from the water. An ambulance was waiting at the shore and the victim was transported and treated for severe hypothermia. The victim stated later that she was ready to give up when Sgt. Casteneda and Dep. Harvey arrived - without their quick and skillful response, the outcome would have been very different.
            Marine Board staff and Board Member Jen Tonneson were honored to present Life Saving Awards to Deputy Harvey and Sgt. Castaneda for their quick response, fast action on scene and boat handling skills that saved a life that day.



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Pictured: Marine Board Director Scott Brewen (Left), Sgt. Ricardo Casteneda, Deputy John Harvey, and Board Member Jen Tonneson (Right).


Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
Ashley.massey at state.or.us<mailto:Ashley.massey at state.or.us>
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