U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River

07/31/2026

Bravo Zulu to the crews of the good Samaritan vessels PISCES and LASSIE, who rescued two mariners earlier this week!

Late Tuesday night, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a distress call from the 36-foot commercial fishing vessel NELMA II, which was taking on water approximately 28 miles west of the Siuslaw River entrance with two people aboard.

The Coast Guard immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched crews from Station Siuslaw River and Air Station North Bend. Nearby commercial fishing vessels PISCES and LASSIE answered the call without hesitation, arriving first and taking both mariners aboard while Coast Guard crews rushed to the scene.

Despite determined efforts to transfer pumps and dewater the heavily flooded vessel, the NELMA II could not be saved. The Coast Guard boat crew safely recovered both mariners from the good Samaritan vessels and returned them to shore.

This response demonstrated the very best of the Pacific Northwest maritime community: professional coordination, courageous action and mariners willing to place themselves in harm’s way to help others.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the crews of the PISCES and LASSIE, along with every Coast Guard watchstander, boat crew and aircrew involved in bringing both mariners home safely.
U.S. Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station North Bend

07/23/2026

🚨Coast Guard Responds to Offshore Vessel Collision

Tuesday morning, Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor and Coast Guard Air Station Astoria responded to a collision between the commercial fishing vessels F/V Nora J and F/V Tabitha, approximately 22 miles off Grays Harbor, Washington.

The crew of the F/V Nora J was safely rescued by a Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew after the vessel began taking on water. All three mariners were brought safely ashore with no injuries reported.

Despite dewatering efforts, the F/V Nora J sank in approximately 300 feet of water. No pollution was reported, and the incident remains under investigation.

We are grateful for the quick actions of our Coast Guard crews and fellow fisherman, whose efforts helped ensure a safe outcome.

U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River
U.S. Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor

07/02/2026

🇺🇸 250 years

As America begins to celebrates this Fourth of July and warmer weather is expected through week’s end, Coast Guard crews remain on duty along the Oregon coast—from our command center to stations, cutters and aircrews ready to respond when the call comes.
We ask that before heading out on the water, wear a life jacket, check weather and bar conditions, tell someone where your going(float plan) and never boat impaired.

Need help on the water? We’re standing by on VHF Channel 16.
Celebrate freedom. Respect the water. Come home safe.
Semper Paratus. ⚓️

06/06/2026

The ships are here and the waterfront is alive with Portland Rose Festival Fleet Week 2026, continuing a 119-year tradition — the longest continuously running Fleet Week in the United States!

Today and tommorow visitors can meet members of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during a week packed with ship tours, community events, maritime demonstrations, and Rose Festival celebrations.

🚢 Public Ship Tours�📅 June 4–7, 2026�⏰ 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily

Come aboard, meet the crews, and learn about missions including:�✔️ Search & rescue�✔️ Maritime safety�✔️ Environmental protection�✔️ Waterways security�✔️ Law enforcement on the water

Fleet Week festivities also include appearances at the Grand Floral Parade and Royal Rosarian ceremonies throughout the week.

👉 Visitors should bring federally approved ID and wear closed-toe shoes for tours.

06/04/2026

⚓🌹 Fleet Week is back in Portland! 🌹⚓

The ships are arriving and the waterfront is about to come alive as the Portland Rose Festival welcomes Fleet Week 2026, continuing a 119-year tradition — the longest continuously running Fleet Week in the United States!

From June 4–7, visitors can meet members of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during a week packed with ship tours, community events, maritime demonstrations, and Rose Festival celebrations.

🚢 Public Ship Tours�📅 June 4–7, 2026�⏰ 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily

Come aboard, meet the crews, and learn about missions including:�✔️ Search & rescue�✔️ Maritime safety�✔️ Environmental protection�✔️ Waterways security�✔️ Law enforcement on the water

Fleet Week festivities also include appearances at the Grand Floral Parade and Royal Rosarian ceremonies throughout the week.

👉 Visitors should bring federally approved ID and wear closed-toe shoes for tours.

06/01/2026

Port of Astoria Pier 2 update:

On May 28, personnel at the Port of Astoria observed an oil sheen originating from beneath Pier 2 and immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Working alongside the Port of Astoria and its contracted response organization, agencies quickly established a unified response effort to assess the source, contain the release, and protect public and environmental safety.

Response crews deployed approximately 2,600 feet of containment boom around the pier, while dive teams worked to identify the source of the release. Investigations determined the oil originated from a previously undocumented legacy fueling pipeline system beneath the pier containing residual oil. Divers successfully disconnected the submerged section of pipeline from the pier, capped it, and plugged the pier-side section to prevent any further release. No additional discharge was observed during these operations.

Cleanup operations continue beneath and around the pier, with shoreline assessment teams surveying affected areas and recovering impacted material. Due to tidal conditions, much of this work must be done during limited operational windows. Response personnel remain on scene to monitor conditions, assess for any secondary releases from the remaining legacy piping infrastructure, and continue cleanup efforts.

The response is being conducted in close coordination with the Port of Astoria, NOAA, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Unified Command remains committed to minimizing environmental impacts while reducing disruptions to port operations and local fishing activities.

06/01/2026

Incident name: Pier 2 Discharge

Date: May 31, 2026

Headline: Agencies Respond to Oil Discharge at Port of Astoria Pier 2

Agencies are responding to an oil discharge from a pipe at the bottom of Pier 2 at the Port of Astoria, OR. Containment boom has been deployed to isolate the oil. Federal and state officials are on scene with the Port of Astoria and its spill response contractor. Their primary focus is to protect public health and minimize impacts to the environment.

This is a developing incident. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

05/26/2026

12/18/2025

⚠️ Weather Update: Strong Winds and Heavy Rain Expected ⚠️

The National Weather Service is forecasting strong winds and periods of heavy rain across northwest Oregon and the Oregon coast from Thursday into Friday.

🌬️ Winds:
Widespread gusts of 25–40 mph are expected, with peak gusts up to 55–70 mph possible in the windiest locations, especially along the coast, in the Cascades, and east of the Cascades.

🌧️ Rainfall:
Moderate to heavy rain may lead to rapid rises on creeks, streams, and rivers. While widespread river flooding is not anticipated at this time, localized flooding remains possible in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

🚤 Coast Guard Actions:
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River is actively coordinating with the Oregon Emergency Coordination Center, the National Weather Service, and state, local, and tribal partners to maintain shared situational awareness. Coast Guard stations and command centers along the coast and Columbia River are synchronized with local responders and are postured to respond as conditions evolve.

⚓ Safety Guidance:
• Mariners should closely monitor weather forecasts, review voyage plans, and be prepared for hazardous conditions.
• Secure loose gear and moorings.
• Avoid flooded areas and exercise caution on waterways impacted by high water and strong currents.

The Coast Guard’s priorities remain the safety of coastal communities, mariners, our responders, and the Maritime Transportation System. We stand ready to provide assistance and mutual aid if requested.

At this time, all bars remain restricted, for updates refer to: https://www.weather.gov/pqr/allbars

For Local Notice to Mariners:https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/lnms/lnm13512025.pdf

12/16/2025

🚨 Coast Guard Responds to Capsized Vessel off Newport, Oregon

On Dec. 14, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a distress call from the commercial fishing vessel VALOR III approximately three nautical miles west of Newport, Oregon, reporting the vessel was taking on water and at risk of capsizing.

The Coast Guard immediately issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a Coast Guard helicopter and small boat crews from Station Yaquina Bay, while coordinating with state and local partner agencies.

All persons aboard were safely recovered from the water by responding crews, partner agencies, and a Good Samaritan vessel, the fishing vessel RILEA. Survivors were evaluated by local emergency medical services, and no serious injuries were reported.

We thank the maritime community and the crew of RILEA for their quick actions and professionalism in assisting with the rescue.

Mariners are reminded to wear proper safety gear, maintain reliable communications, and file a float plan before heading out on the water.