Vancouver, WA. – Official Release: On November 19th, 2024, at approximately 6:30pm, Vancouver Fire Department was dispatched for a boater in distress at Marine Park Boat Launch. Callers stated that there was a male subject and his dog on the boat, and they were unable to get close enough to the dock to get off due to storm conditions and an unstable dock.
When the fire department arrived at the dock, they noticed a 32-foot sailboat partially tied to a very unsteady dock. The initial fire department crew contacted the male who stated he was unable to get himself and the dog off the boat. The fire crew attempted to assist the person from the boat, but it was too far to make it to the dock safely.
The fire department switched plans and decided to use the Fire Boat to attempt the rescue. The Plan was to push the boat to the dock, but the conditions did not allow this to happen. A rescue swimmer was then deployed to the sailboat and was able to move the dog and the male subject to the Fire Boat.
This was a very technical maneuver by Vancouver Fire Boat crew. The Fire Department spend a lot of time and effort to train for these very situations and tonight that training paid off.
Vancouver Fire responded to the scene with a Battalion Chief, two Fire Engines, a Truck company, and Fire Boat 1 for a total of 14 Firefighters. There were no injuries to report, and all parties and pets were reunited with their loved ones.
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