Learning the hard way - A Portland couple escapes a jetty with only a few bruises

Submitted by Chief Aaron Bretz, Motor Lifeboat Station Siuslaw River

A man and woman visiting from Portland over the weekend decided to quench their curiosity by walking out on the north jetty at Florence, Oregon (Siuslaw River.) They were seen by a Coast Guard Helicopter flying over, who alerted the lookout tower that is near the jetty. Waves on the bar at the time were breaking at a height of 16 feet.

The Coast Guard watchstander in the tower spotted the people on the jetty just as they were hit by a breaking wave that knocked the couple down. The watchstander exited the tower and proceeded toward the jetty to help the people as they were coming off the jetty. The woman had bruises and abrasions on her legs, knees, and face. An EMT from Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River met the couple in the parking lot adjacent to the jetty to educate and examine them. The man commented that there should probably be some sort of sign warning people to stay off the jetty.

The EMT who had responded from Station Siuslaw River politely pointed out that the couple had parked their car directly beneath a sign warning people of the dangers of rock jetties.

Although the two only experienced minor injuries, given the conditions, they could have easily been swept off the jetty.