Saturday morning, September 26, 2026, a US Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Air Station Astoria hoisted a man at Hammond Marina after he became pinned under a rock at the jetty. Astoria Fire Department requested assistance from the Coast Guard due to the unstable terrain, ensuring the man could be transported as safely as possible.
At 7:38 a.m., watchstanders at the Sector Columbia River command center received a request from the Astoria Fire Department to assist with the rescue of a man who was pinned under a rock on the jetty at Hammond Marina. It was unsafe to evacuate him by foot due to the unstable terrain. An Air Station Astoria MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched and arrived on scene at 8:51 a.m.
The Jayhawk crew successfully hoisted the man and transferred him to awaiting emergency medical services at Air Station Astoria at 9:55 a.m. He was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital for further treatment.
“Today showcased how the Coast Guard and local agencies work together to save lives,” said Chief Petty Officer Patrick Toomey, the command duty officer for Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. “Working with first responders on the ground, we were able to provide assistance and ensure the individual was transported for medical care.”
Jetties and breakwaters are dangerous: surfaces are often slippery and uneven, unpredictable waves and changing tides can cause large boulders to shift, potentially leading to serious injury. The Coast Guard reminds everyone to remain vigilant on and around these structures and avoid walking on them whenever possible.
