Sailboat was unable to get back to dock during Tuesday night’s storm, and Vancouver Fire Department responded with Fire Boat and rescue swimmer

A man and his dog in a boat on the Columbia River were rescued Tuesday evening by Vancouver Fire Department crew, including a rescue swimmer, and a Fire Boat.

The fire department was dispatched for a boater in distress at Marine Park Boat Launch. Callers said that there was a man and a dog on a boat, and they were unable to get close enough to the dock due to storm conditions.

When the firefighters arrived, they noticed a 32-foot sailboat partially tied to an unsteady dock. Firefights made contact with the man, who said he was unable to get himself and the dog off the boat. Firefighters also tried to assist but the boat was too far to make it to dock safely. 

Switching plans, the department called the Fire Boat to attempt the rescue, trying to push the sailboat toward the dock. Conditions prevented this attempt, as well.

A rescue swimmer was deployed to the sailboat and was able to move the dog and the man to the Fire Boat.

The Vancouver Fire Department spends hours training for these situations. Department leaders said that training paid off with Tuesday’s rescue.

Vancouver Fire responded to the scene with a Battalion Chief, two Fire Engines, a Truck company, and Fire Boat 1, for a total of 14 firefighters. There were no injuries. The man and his dog were reunited with their loved ones.