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CNN Live Sunday
Authorities Call Off Search for 2 Men Missing Off Oregon Coast
Aired June 15, 2003 - 16:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The search for two men who went missing after their fishing boat capsized off the coast of Oregon yesterday has been called off. The U.S. Coast Guard scoured the area around Tillamook Bay, but were unable to find the missing men. John Flick, with CNN affiliate KGW is in Barview with the latest. Hi there, John.
JOHN FLICK, KGW CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka. As you mentioned, the Coast Guard search has been called off for those two missing. Nine people are confirmed dead. Eight did survive. Now, the NTSB arrived this morning and they have searched through the 32.5- foot vessel called "The Tacky 2", which was just actually just removed from the beach here near the Barview jetty. Now, this was a chartered boat headed out for a fishing trip. It left yesterday morning early. As it headed out of the Tillamook Bay and struck by a 15-foot wave and capsized.
Eight people were able to make it to shore alive. Nine bodies washed ashore. Again, two are still missing. All of those who survived were wearing life preservers. Four of the dead were not wearing life jackets. Now local charter boat owners say the bar at the mouth of the jetty here is filled with sand and silt. So much so it causes much bigger waves. They say it this is desperate need of dredging.
In fact, they're asking for federal help, federal monies to help in that process of dredging. The NTSB will look at that as a potential factor. The spokesperson today talked about life vests. He says if it was up to him, everyone on board these boats would have to wear a life preserver. Here in Oregon, the law is if you're under 13, you have to wear a life preserver.
If you are over that age, it's not required but there has to be enough live preservers on board. The spokes person also, quite frankly, said a 32.5-foot boat going out in 15-foot waters, well, it probably shouldn't have happened, that the captain might have thought twice before going out in those waters. It is still early in this investigation. We're told we'll know many more details later this evening. Fredricka, back to you.
WHITFIELD: Except, John, isn't it true that the skipper of that boat had a great reputation?
FLICK: Sure did. In fact, the folks who went out on this chartered boat, they requested him because of his experience and because of they knew him very well. They wanted him, they wanted the best, and they felt he was the one. Back to you.
WHITFIELD: Well, John, what more can you tell us about the people who were on board? Among the 19? Who were they?
FLICK: Well, they come from a wide range of people. We hear ages younger to older. Many of them coming out for the Father's Day weekend. That this was a good way to spend Father's Day, loved fishing, we hear about men and women, so many stories out there. You had 19 people total on board. And there are services being held right now for those who were killed in this accident. Back to you.
WHITFIELD: Terribly sad. All right, John Flick of KGW, our affiliate there, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Coast>
Aired June 15, 2003 - 16:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The search for two men who went missing after their fishing boat capsized off the coast of Oregon yesterday has been called off. The U.S. Coast Guard scoured the area around Tillamook Bay, but were unable to find the missing men. John Flick, with CNN affiliate KGW is in Barview with the latest. Hi there, John.
JOHN FLICK, KGW CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka. As you mentioned, the Coast Guard search has been called off for those two missing. Nine people are confirmed dead. Eight did survive. Now, the NTSB arrived this morning and they have searched through the 32.5- foot vessel called "The Tacky 2", which was just actually just removed from the beach here near the Barview jetty. Now, this was a chartered boat headed out for a fishing trip. It left yesterday morning early. As it headed out of the Tillamook Bay and struck by a 15-foot wave and capsized.
Eight people were able to make it to shore alive. Nine bodies washed ashore. Again, two are still missing. All of those who survived were wearing life preservers. Four of the dead were not wearing life jackets. Now local charter boat owners say the bar at the mouth of the jetty here is filled with sand and silt. So much so it causes much bigger waves. They say it this is desperate need of dredging.
In fact, they're asking for federal help, federal monies to help in that process of dredging. The NTSB will look at that as a potential factor. The spokesperson today talked about life vests. He says if it was up to him, everyone on board these boats would have to wear a life preserver. Here in Oregon, the law is if you're under 13, you have to wear a life preserver.
If you are over that age, it's not required but there has to be enough live preservers on board. The spokes person also, quite frankly, said a 32.5-foot boat going out in 15-foot waters, well, it probably shouldn't have happened, that the captain might have thought twice before going out in those waters. It is still early in this investigation. We're told we'll know many more details later this evening. Fredricka, back to you.
WHITFIELD: Except, John, isn't it true that the skipper of that boat had a great reputation?
FLICK: Sure did. In fact, the folks who went out on this chartered boat, they requested him because of his experience and because of they knew him very well. They wanted him, they wanted the best, and they felt he was the one. Back to you.
WHITFIELD: Well, John, what more can you tell us about the people who were on board? Among the 19? Who were they?
FLICK: Well, they come from a wide range of people. We hear ages younger to older. Many of them coming out for the Father's Day weekend. That this was a good way to spend Father's Day, loved fishing, we hear about men and women, so many stories out there. You had 19 people total on board. And there are services being held right now for those who were killed in this accident. Back to you.
WHITFIELD: Terribly sad. All right, John Flick of KGW, our affiliate there, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
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