Pacific Hooker near-disaster

Pacific Hooker #2 - swamped by 30-ft aft swells and 20 ft waves

Pacific Hooker #3 - Coast Guard out to try to help, without getting dashed against the rocks themselves

Pacific Hooker #4 - captain able to get back away from rocks and swells, although nearly sunk.
Coast Guard within 5 feet of rocks

Sandy, what an amazing series of compelling images and a not so gentle reminder of the danger that fisherman face as they set out to meet the challenges of the day.

Looks like you have quite the view from your front deck, lucky you!

Sandy: that's really an excellent set of images of a boat and its crew in peril. I am now reminded why I didn't join the Coast Guard,  Richard

I'm amazed that the Pacific Hooker wasn't dashed on the jetty rocks and in so many pieces shortly thereafter. She must have had power to be able to stay off the rocks. Did the Coast Guard have to tow her in?

Excellent images.

Jim, these fishing trawlers have poor power, actually, and that is what helped get this one in trouble. The entrance to the Brookings Harbor is a short distance up the Chetco River.  With the torrential rains the last several days, the river was draining a huge amount of land upriver that was flooded.  The outgoing river  was running probably 12-15 knots. We can see it from our home on a 60 ft  bluff over the river/ocean , but not easily seen from water level.

Pacific Hooker misread the river action, (so did the Coast Guard, as they did not have the bar CLOSED) and her top speed is about 8 knots. When she entered the river at the mouth,  the outgoing water totally stopped her forward progress, all the while the crashing surf, swells, and riptides attacked the stern. Only VERY skilled piloting by the captain saved her - he was able to turn her around between swells and get out of the river back into the ocean without capsizing. If a swell had caught him broadside, the boat would have flipped over.  Can't believe he even had engines or rudders left, and didn't get pitched into the rocky jetty..

We were sure she was going to capsize.  Coast Guard towed her to another port - bar closed after this incident for about 12 hours. 5-6 boats still out - they had to go north to Gold Beach, or south to Crescent City -  both about 30 miles in horrible conditions, plus getting dark.

One very lucky boat and crew.

Sandy
 

Great stuff, Sandy.  I've spent a bit of time on boats in rough seas, and I guarantee you these guys were not having a fun day.  I'll bet they'd like to see these photos. 

All 4 photos were published on the front page of our small local paper. (Several others in the last few months, too) 
They have offered a PT position, which I can't  take, but I might accept a per diem position  for when I am in town ans available. 
This is RETIREMENT and we travel a lot, plus my 96-yr-old , quite ill father in California has a lot of needs, and i often have to get back there on short notice. 
Sandy

WOW, excellent series, Sandy!

This is a great powerful series! It sure tells a scary story! Real nice job!

Moderators - should this be in Man and Nature?  I think so..
Sandy

A very impressive collection, Sandy !  I like the second image especially - extremely dramatic !