US COAST GUARD BARRACUDA RESCUE

Off the coast of Oregon (May 22) -- The 72-foot fishing vessel Leslie Lee capsized 9 nautical miles off the coast of Trinidad Head (near the California and Oregon border) with three persons aboard. An HH-65A Dolphin helicopter launched from Air Station Humboldt Bay and the CGC Barracuda, which were already underway for training, diverted to the scene. Two of the fishing vessel's crew were on top of the hull and a third crewman was in the water when the Coast Guard assets arrived. All three were rescued; the crewman in the water was hoisted to HH-65A and transferred to an ambulance for treatment of mild hypothermia. The vessel sank with nearly 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel in 1,800 feet of water. Officlas are monitoring the area for pollution to determine the best course of action. U.S. COAST GUARD PHOTO