High Surf — South Central Oregon Coast, Oregon

2016-01-26 · South Central Oregon Coast, Oregon

Event narrative

The 42.3' steel-hulled crab fishing vessel Sarah Jo had a crew of 3. She was crossing the Coos bar around 4 pm local time, when the crankshaft broke, possibly as a result of rough conditions. After losing power, the boat then took a breaking wave on the bar, capsized, then sank. A USCG report shortly before the incident reported 10-12 foot steep breaking seas within the channel, and 8-10 foot steep seas just beyond the jetty. Conditions were worsening during rescue operations. Winds were south around 10 KT with 5 NM visibility. The bar was restricted to vessels below 40 feet. Note: The Sarah Jo was attempting to recover pots for the Eagle III, a crab fishing vessel that collided and broke up on the north jetty of Coos Bar on 01/19/2016, with the loss of 3 lives.

LOCATION: 43.355, -124.342: Within main channel of Coos Bar.

DEATHS: 1

MISSING PERSONS: 0

IMPACTS: All 3 crew were rescued from the water by the USCG and sent to the hospital. Raymundo Cardoso, 46, of Winchester Bay, later died from his injuries. Vessel sank in the channel and is most likely a complete loss. May also be a navigational obstruction.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 611879. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.