Coast Guard rescues four near Westport, Wash

Crewmembers of the fishing vessel Quest abandoned ship as their boat went down 17 miles west of Westport, Washington on June 29, 2012. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria hoisted the men from the water and took them to Bowerman Airfield in Hoquiam, Wash., where they were left with emergency medical personnel. Coast Guard video by Air Station Astoria.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River recieved a distress call from the crew of the 52-foot fishing vessel Quest at approximately 11:10 p.m., Thursday, stating the boat was quickly taking on water.  The crew reported they could not dewater the vessel fast enough to keep it afloat and were told to don survival gear and abandon the boat while a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Grays Harbor in Westport and an MH-60 helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria were sent to assist.
The helicopter crew arrrived on scene at approximately 12 a.m. to find three people in a liferaft and one in the water.  A rescue swimmer was deployed to assist the crewmember in the water and then all four were hoisted into the helicopter.  The crew was taken to Bowerman Airfield in Hoquiam, Wash., to be examined by emergency medical personnel.  There were no reported injuries.
The 47-foot motor lifeboat crew arrived to locate the vessel, assess the risk of pollution and collect the vessel's EPIRB from the water.  The Quest sank with an estimated 250 gallons of diesel fuel on board, but there were no signs of pollution.
.