Coast Guard, local responders rescue swimmers near Quillayute River inlet

Coast Guard crewmembers aboard a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Quillayute River located in La Push, Wash., prepare to rescue a swimmer sitting on rocks near James Island, Aug. 16, 2018. The Coast Guard boat crew rescued one swimmer and officers from the La Push Police Department rescued another swimmer. U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Louis Keating.

Coast Guard crewmembers aboard a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Quillayute River prepare to rescue a swimmer sitting on rocks near James Island, Aug. 16, 2018. U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Louis Keating.

La Push, Wash. — Coast Guard crews and La Push Police rescued two men, in their mid-to-late twenties, who were attempting to swim across the Quillayute River inlet near James Island, Thursday.

The crew members, aboard a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River, rescued the man, who was reportedly fatigued from swimming in 50-degree water, and transferred him back to the station, where he was evaluated by emergency medical services and released.

The two MLB crews were conducting training in the waters near James Island when a crew member noticed two men on the nearby rocks enter the water. The first man was wearing swim shorts, while the second man was wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

At 11:29 a.m. the crew reported that one of the swimmers appeared to be struggling. The first man swam to James Island while the dangerous water conditions pushed the second man onto the jetty rocks. Eight minutes later, the MLB crew rescued the first man from the island.

La Push Police Department personnel aboard their own responding vessel rescued the second man from the jetty rocks. He was transported to awaiting EMS and treated for reported forearm lacerations.

The Coast Guard reminds swimmers not to overestimate their abilities and always recommends against swimming in or near dangerous waters including sand bars, harbor entrances and river jetties.


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