Good Samaritan rescues fisherman from life raft off Long Beach

Good Samaritan rescues fisherman from life raft off Long Beach

Published 5:15 pm Saturday, July 4, 2026

LONG BEACH — With fishing for salmon and other species attracting dozens of recreational and commercial vessels to the Pacific Ocean waters off the mouth of the Columbia River, one got into potentially deadly trouble Friday morning, July 3.

At about 6 a.m. Friday, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Command Center (SCRcc) received a report of a flare sighting west of the Long Beach Peninsula. Around the same time Coast Guard Northwest District Command Center received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) activation from the 44-foot fishing vessel Triton from about the same location.

SCRcc issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB), and dispatched Coast Guard Air Station Astoria and Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment to launch, a Coast Guard spokesman said Saturday.

“However, a good Samaritan aboard the Ulfburht responded to the UMIB, located floating boat debris and an individual in a life raft who stated he was the only one aboard the vessel,” the Coast Guard spokesman said. “The boat crew from Station Cape Disappointment meet up with the good Samaritan, transferred the individual, and took them back to the station to awaiting medical personnel.”

The Triton, a commercial troller, sank in about 60 feet of water, according to a witness writing on the Commercial Salmon, Albacore & Crab Fishers page on Facebook. The sinking left a debris field and fuel slick in the area, according to witnesses. The vessel operator returned safely to Garibaldi, Oregon following the accident.

A person familiar with the Triton observed, “Can’t believe that big ole tank sank!”

The sea temperature is currently around 56.7°F off the Long Beach Peninsula, 2.2°F colder than average for this time of year, according to https://www.surf-forecast.com. In general, conditions have been relatively calm, but fishermen have observed rough and choppy seas in the past week in the vicinity of North Head. It is unknown what led to the Triton’s sinking.