6 February 2023

Amazing footage from the 13th District of the U.S. Coast Guard depicts the recovery of a mariner whose boat capsized in the waters near the Pacific Northwest.

The event happened on Friday around 6 miles west of the Columbia River mouth.

The damaged 35-foot Sandpiper overturned by a breaking wave as a rescue swimmer neared it, but several units arrived and saved the mariner.

At 10 a.m. on Friday, Sector Columbia River watchstanders heard an audible MAYDAY call on VHF marine-band channel 16. No further details were given. The origin of the distress call was approximately located via radio tower triangulation.

A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from the Advanced Rescue Helicopter School and a Station Cape Disappointment crew in a 47-foot motor lifeboat took off from the station. While conducting training nearby, other crews from the National Motor Lifeboat School diverted as well to assist.

John "Branch" Walton, an aviation survival technician third class, rescued his first life as a rescue swimmer. He and his classmates received their Advanced Rescue Helicopter School diplomas a few hours later.