FISHING VESSEL SINKS OFF WASHINGTON COAST; CREWMAN SAVED

The 34 foot fishing boat ROSIE MARIE sank 20 miles west of the Columbia River Bar on Tuesday. The sole crewman on the vessel was able to get off a May Day message and activate his EPIRB before abandoning the sinking vessel into a life raft. The Coast Guard sent a helicopter from Astoria and a life boat from Cape Disappointment to rescue the man who was hoisted to safety by the helicopter. The crewman was taken to Astoria Oregon for medical examination. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Safety regulations relating to small fishing boats such as this are currently pending, including requirements for life rafts, EPIRB, and immersion suits. This instance again points to the fact that this safety equipment saves the lives of fishermen and the need to make such safety equipment mandatory on all fishing vessels.