Rescuers saved two people and their dog from their capsized sailboat on Hagg Lake Saturday evening.
GASTON, Ore. — Two people and their dog were rescued Saturday evening after their sailboat capsized on Hagg Lake, according to fire officials.
Gaston Rural Fire District and Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a marine rescue call at 6:58 p.m. Saturday. Dispatchers reported a boat had capsized with at least two people in the water.
Gaston fire responded with a boat and chief officer to assist the sheriff’s department. Upon arrival, responders located the boat in the middle of the lake, approximately halfway between the Eagle Point boat ramp and the dam.
“The two occupants of the boat and their dog were sitting on the overturned hull waiting for assistance,” the fire district reported.
Sheriff’s deputies reached the capsized vessel by boat and transported the occupants and their dog back to the boat ramp. The individuals were cold but unharmed.
The rescue effort then shifted to recovering the vessel, which proved challenging due to its 25-foot mast.
“Then the real work began. The craft was a sailboat with a 25′ mast which made it difficult to tow and right,” the fire district stated. “None of the personnel on scene had ever needed to right a sailboat but the owner walked us through the process and then we applied a lot of ropes and energy.”
Fire officials reported no injuries to emergency personnel and minimal damage to the boat during both the accident and retrieval operation.
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