News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine Personnel Rescue Couple from Sinking Boat on Clackamas River
Posted: February 20th, 2008 9:30 AM
At approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 19), the Clackamas County Sheriff's Marine Patrol, assisted by Gladstone Fire personnel, plucked a Milwaukie couple from their 15', propeller-driven fiberglass boat -- which had struck a rock and was taking on water in the Clackamas River.
John Dean Caldwell (born October 1943) and his wife Ana Caldwell (born Feb. 7, 1961) of Milwaukie, were on a fishing excursion when they attempted to navigate up the Clackamas River from the Willamette River.
The Caldwell couple was not familiar with the Clackamas River, and were unaware of the impending dangers.
While navigating on the High Rocks section of the Clackamas, their 15' propeller-driven craft failed to negotiate a rapid in shallow water. The boat struck submerged rocks in the shallow rapids -- tossing the boat sideways. It was then turned around, forcing 44-degree river water over the aft portion of the craft.
The Sheriff's Marine Patrol received word of this pending disaster from an alert fisherman, Mike Langeliers, 59, of West Linn. Langeliers reports that he was fishing along the Clackamas at the time, and witnessed the Caldwell craft propelling itself onto the rapids in only about 2 feet of water when the outboard motor and propeller ground to a halt on the submerged river rocks. Langeliers immediately called 911 to alert the Sheriff's Office of a boat in jeopardy.
Responding Marine personnel picked up Gladstone Fire personnel and then came to the aid of the Caldwell couple in the middle of the river.
The Caldwell couple was standing up in the craft -- wearing personal-floatation devices as water rose up to their knees in the boat. Rescue personnel plucked the couple from the craft; they were found to be unharmed, and were grateful for the swift river rescue.
CCSO Marine Patrol Deputy Nathan Thompson reports this is a situation that occurred as a result of "someone attempting to navigate water to shallow and treacherous for a propeller-driven craft."
The Caldwell boat was found to be legally licensed and in compliance with all marine-required equipment. No citations were issued.
The Caldwell boat did not sink. It's expected to be privately removed from the river tomorrow, and does not pose any waterway hazards.
Photographs of this river rescue were obtained by Oregon City Police personnel, who were on scene monitoring this river rescue from the Oregon City shoreline. They are linked at the top of this release.
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Contact Info: Jim Strovink, Detective
