On Sunday, June 7, 2026 at approximately 12:28 p.m., Rockaway Beach Fire Rescue was dispatched to a water rescue involving a surfer in distress near the Rockaway Beach wayside. Nehalem Bay Fire Rescue, Adventist Health, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office were also dispatched to assist. Upon arrival, Rockaway Beach Chief Hesse found bystanders holding a surfboard and pointing toward the ocean. Chief established command, gathered information, and learned that bystanders had located an abandoned surfboard before noticing a person in the water waving for help approximately 150 feet from shore. Rockaway Beach rescue units and squads arrived on scene and deployed the department’s E.M.I.L.Y. rescue boat, an Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard remote-controlled rescue device. Crews directed the boat to the surfer, who was able to grab hold of it, and then used the attached rope to pull the surfer safely to shore. The surfer was evaluated for medical needs and declined further medical care. Rockaway Beach Fire Rescue extends its thanks to all partner agencies, responders, and bystanders whose quick actions contributed to a successful rescue.
Beachgoers are urged to remain aware of rip currents, which can form even on days that appear calm. Rip currents are powerful channels of water moving away from shore and can quickly pull swimmers beyond the breaking waves.
Safety tips include:
• Never swim alone.
• Check ocean conditions before entering the water.
• Stay near lifeguards when available.
• If caught in a rip current, remain calm and do not swim directly toward shore. Instead, swim parallel to the beach until free of the current, then make your way back to shore.
• If you see someone in trouble, call 911 and avoid entering the water unless you are trained in water rescue.
Thanks to the quick actions of Rockaway Beach Fire and Rescue and assisting responders, this incident ended with a successful outcome. As summer approaches and more people head to the coast, officials encourage everyone to respect the power of the ocean and put safety first.
