Water Rescue Program
On January 13, 1982, a Boeing 737 aircraft
crashed into the Patomac River Bridge in Washington D.C..
Following this incident, the FAA mandated that all certified
airports are required to include provisions for the rescue
of aircraft accident victims from significant bodies of
water situated adjacent to the airports and lie beneath
the approach and departure flight paths of air carriers.
Our
primary mission is to rescue passengers and crew of aircraft
involved in water accidents. The South Channel of the Columbia
River near Government Island, which borders PDX airport,
is
a designated ditching point for aircraft because of the lower
current and shallow depths. We also respond to life threatening
emergencies and requests for assistance from other agencies.
(US Coast Guard, Sheriff's River Patrol, Portland Fire Bureau).
Because of the low water temperatures in the Columbia (38°
- 67° F), hypothermia is one of our biggest concerns.
Expedient rescue is a must. The Port's water rescue boat meets
this qualification. In addition, the high occupant flotation
equipment that Water Rescue personnel are trained with helps
to reduce the time victims are in the water. (See Equipment
List Below.)
Port of Portland's Occupant Flotation Equipment:
(3) - 50-foot life ramps, will hold up to 30 people each.
(3) - 30-foot life ramps, will hold 15 - 20 people each.
(4) - 15-foot life ramps, will hold 9 people each.
(1) - Life raft, will hold 44 people.
(1) - Life raft, will hold 15 people.
Rescue Boat 860 responds to nearly 70 calls per year. Some
types of river emergencies are:
· Critical medical and trauma emergencies
· Aircraft or automobiles in the water
· Boat accidents or fires
· Boaters in immediate danger
· Jumpers from bridges
· Wildland fires
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