Dramatic Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue Delivers Surfer to Safety (VIDEO)

The surfer was safely rescued from a cove near Otter Rock.

Photo and video courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard

(DEPOE BAY, Ore.) - The Coast Guard rescued a surfer Sunday who became stranded by strong currents in a cove south of Depoe Bay, Oregon. The call came into the Lincoln County, Oregon 911 Dispatch Center at 1:41 PM.

They in turn contacted the Coast Guard to report a surfer in distress near Devil's Punch Bowl State Park. This is in an area known as Otter Rock which is probably the most frequently surfed spot on the central Oregon coast.

Minutes later, an HH-65 Dolphin Helicopter crew From Coast Guard Air Station North Bend, Oregon, and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay, were launched to assist.

Coast Guard officials say that at 2:05 PM, the helicopter aircrew hoisted the surfer to safety and transported him to waiting emergency medical technicians in Newport, Oregon.

No injuries were reported.

Large waves along the Washington and Oregon State coast attract many surfers, and the sport has seen tremendous growth over the last two decades.

But the Coast Guard reminds everyone that these seemingly ideal conditions can also place surfers in great danger. Strong rip currents can sweep surfers out to sea. Other currents can push surfers into coves or sea caves, leaving them stranded or vulnerable to rising tides.

While not discouraging the sport, the Coast Guard encourages surfers to exercise extreme caution when surfing in the Pacific Northwest.

Special thanks to the Coast Guard and YouTube for this dramatic video segment:

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