VIDEO: Coast Guard rescues man in emergency raft off SW Washington coast

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man found in an emergency survival raft was rescued by the Coast Guard off the coast of southwest Washington Monday evening.

A Coast Guard crew from Astoria responded to rescue the man 95 miles west of Westport, finding him in the raft.

Officials say the man’s 60-foot boat had begun taking on water, prompting him to activate his EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) to alert the Coast Guard and inflate his emergency raft.

Once the Coast Guard helicopter arrived at the scene, the man was moved from the raft to a rescue basket and hoisted up.

“This rescue perfectly highlights the importance of having an emergency rescue beacon, properly registering it, and knowing how to use it. Great work to all involved!,” said Lt. Cmdr. Lily Andrews, a Coast Guard search and rescue mission coordinator.

The man was taken back to Astoria where officials say he refused further medical care.

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