Couple Rescued from Sinking Boat in Clackamas River

The couple was unfamiliar with navigating this section of the river.

Photos by Oregon City Police personnel, who were on scene monitoring this river rescue from the Oregon City shoreline.

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Rescuers plucked a Milwaukie couple from their 15-foot propeller driven, fiberglass boat after it struck a rock and began taking-on water in the Clackamas River. Clackamas County Sheriff's Marine Patrol, assisted by Gladstone Fire & Rescue personnel were called to the scene at 4:00 PM Tuesday afternoon.

63-year old John Dean Caldwell and his wife, 46-year old Ana Caldwell of Milwaukie, were on a fishing excursion when they attempted to navigate up the Clackamas River from the Willamette River.

Clackamas Sheriff's Office Spokesman Jim Strovink says the Caldwell couple was not familiar with the Clackamas River and unaware of the impending dangers.

"While navigating on the High Rocks section of the Clackamas River, their 15'propeller driven craft failed to negotiate a rapid in shallow water. This Caldwell boat struck submerged rocks in the shallow rapids, tossing the boat sideways and ultimately became turned around – forcing 44 degree river water over the aft portion of the craft."

He says Clackamas County Marine Patrol received word of this pending disaster from an alert fisherman, 59-year old Mike Langeliers of West Linn.

"Langeliers reports he was fishing along the Clackamas at the time and witnessed the Caldwell craft propelling itself onto the rapids in only about 2' of water when the outboard motor and propeller ground to a halt on the submerged river rocks. Langeliers immediately called 911 to alert the Sheriff's Office of this boat in jeopardy."

Responding Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine patrol personnel were able to first pick-up Gladstone Fire personnel and came to the aid of the Caldwell couple in the middle of the river.

They were standing up in the craft, wearing personal-floatation devices, with water rising up to their knees in the boat, according to Strovink.

"Rescue personnel plucked the couple from the craft and were found to be unharmed and grateful for the swift river rescue."

Clackamas County Sheriff's Marine Patrol Deputy Nathan Thompson reports this is a situation that occurred as a result of, "someone attempting to navigate water to shallow and treacherous for a propeller driven craft." The Caldwell boat was found to be legally licensed and in compliance with all marine required equipment. No citations were issued.

The Caldwell boat did not sink; is expected to be privately removed from the river tomorrow, and does not pose any waterway hazards.