USCG Auxiliary Crew Saves Boater from Wing Dam

Several members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Facility "Sar Trek" have become the latest crew in northern California to demonstrate the motto of the Auxiliary: "America's Volunteer Lifesavers." While patrolling the upper Sacramento River, on the afternoon of Nov. 28, several miles north of the I-80 Bridge, the crew of the "Sar Trek" observed a small 18-foot boat with three persons aboard rapidly drifting toward a wing dam.

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) December 9, 2004 - Several members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Facility "Sar Trek" have become the latest crew in northern California to demonstrate the motto of the Auxiliary: "America's Volunteer Lifesavers."

While patrolling the upper Sacramento River, on the afternoon of Nov. 28, several miles north of the I-80 Bridge, the crew of the "Sar Trek" observed a small 18-foot boat with three persons aboard rapidly drifting toward a wing dam.

Wing dams are used by the Army Corps of Engineers to divert a river into the center channel. If a boat were to go over a wing dam, the propellers, out drives or the hulls would sustain damage, at a minimum. In addition the vessel would run the risk of getting stuck on the wing dam, which could cause it to capsize.

The crew of the "Sar Trek", using a loudspeaker to communicate with the stricken craft learned that it was having engine trouble and had no anchor.

Coxswain and owner Davis Bogue, from Granite Bay, Calif., said those onboard the boat had no idea they were approaching a serious navigational hazard.

"I advised them to put on PFDs (personal flotation devices), and told them to remain calm and we would be moving quickly to get them under tow," said Auxiliary Division Deputy Chief of Public Affairs Ed Sweeney.

Sweeney then turned the helm over to Bogue.

"I knew this was going to be close and we'd only have one chance at hooking them up before they would get lodged on the wing dam," recalled Sweeney of Citrus Heights, Calif.

Sweeney's wife, Leanne, an Auxiliary Flotilla Commander, quickly rigged the skiff hook and Bogue put the stern within about 10 feet of the distressed vessel's bow, allowing Mrs. Sweeney to connect the tow hook on the first shot to the stricken boat's trailer eye bolt.

"I paid out about 25 feet of the tow line as Davis inched us back upstream, made off the line on the Sampson post and we pulled them to safety with less than 100 feet to spare," said Ed Sweeney.

Those on board the small boat were not named by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The crew of "SAR TREK" are all members of "Gold Country" Flotilla 33.

The Auxiliary's Pacific Area Rear Commodore, Dan Neiderhiser, commended the volunteer lifesavers, saying the incident should be a reminder that the safety of the crew and vessel requires the recreational boat operator to understand all aspects of the cruise.

"This includes weather, water temperature, the route and handling aspects of the boat," said Neiderhiser.

The Auxiliary suggests that all boaters request a Vessel Safety Check to make sure they carry all the mandated federal, state and local safety equipment, and take as much boating education as possible.

Boaters desiring a Vessel Safety Check can complete the form online at http://safetyseal.net/want_vsc.asp

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer civilian component of Coast Guard Forces. Founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the US Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated the Auxiliary in 1941, the 35,000 members donate millions of hours in support of Coast Guard missions.

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