YAQUINA BAY, Ore. — The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) reports that they were successfully able to execute a 'verticle rescue' for a surfer standed on a cliffside near Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Sunday evening.
Lincoln County Dispatch relayed a call to Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector North Bend at 7:32 p.m., reporting the stranded surfer on the cliffside. The surfer had apparetly abandoned his surfboard and climbed up some rocks after being pulled from the beach by a riptide.
A Coast Guard aircrew and Lincoln County verticle resuce team aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter responded from Air Facility Newport. The team was able to hoist the surfer from the cliffside and transport him to Newport Airport, where he was transferred to awaiting emergency medical services.
A USCG Station Yaquina Bay boat crew aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat also responded to the call for help.
No injuries or immediate medical concerns were reported.
At the time of the rescue, the water temperature was 51 degrees and the air temperature was 52 degrees with winds reaching 10 mph.