Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

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News Release

Date: Feb. 24, 2009
Contact: Lt. J.R. Nims
(541) 756-9636 


Coast Guard rescues man near Coos Bay, Ore. - Update
Video Available

In this video released by the Coast Guard, a motor lifeboat crew from Station Coos Bay, Ore., rescued a 73-year-old man Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 in Coos Bay. A Coast Guard watchstander at the Coos Bay bar lookout tower spotted the man clinging to two lifejackets approximately 20 yards off the north jetty, drifting out to sea. (U.S. Coast Guard video/Coos Bay Bar Cam.)

In this video released by the Coast Guard, a motor lifeboat crew from Station Coos Bay, Ore., rescued a 73-year-old man Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 in Coos Bay. A Coast Guard watchstander at the Coos Bay bar lookout tower spotted the man clinging to two lifejackets approximately 20 yards off the north jetty, drifting out to sea. (U.S. Coast Guard video/Coos Bay Bar Cam.)

COOS BAY, Ore. - The Coast Guard rescued a 73-year-old man near Coos Bay, Ore., Sunday.

A Coast Guard watchstander at the Coos Bay bar lookout tower spotted Gary Butler in the water around 2:15 p.m.  Butler was clinging to two lifejackets, approximately 20 yards off the north jetty, drifting out to sea.

Group/Air Station North Bend was immediately notified and launched a rescue helicopter crew and a motor lifeboat crew to the scene. Butler was rescued by the motor lifeboat crew and transferred to an awaiting ambulance at Station Coos Bay.  He was conscious but unresponsive and unable to communicate.  The rescue helicopter crew remained on scene to search for additional survivors while a second Coast Guard rescue boat crew located a small overturned vessel.

Through investigative efforts, Station Coos Bay located Butler's spouse in the marina and determined that he was alone on the vessel and there were no other persons in the water.

"Due diligence on the part of the bar lookout watchstander led to the rapid launch of rescue assets and the fact that Mr. Butler was able to hang onto two lifejackets are a direct result of him surviving the incident," said Lt. J.R. Nims, Coast Guard Group North Bend operations officer.  "The Coast Guard cannot stress enough the importance of wearing proper floatation devices while participating in on the water activities."

Bay Area Hospital reported Monday that Butler is in stable condition and is expected to be removed from ICU.

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