The initial investigation indicates that on 09/04/2010 at approximately 1620 hours operator was operating his 10 foot 1992 inflatable Zodiac on the Columbia River, 1 mile West of the town of Bridgeport. Operator was seated on an cooler while operating the vessel’s 9.9 HP outboard motor. The weather conditions at the time of the incident were; clear skies, winds blowing Easterly at approximately 25 MPH, gusting to approximately 35 MPH.  The waves on the river were approximately 2 to 3 feet. 

Operator is 63 years of age and had one 56 year old male passenger onboard with him. The two had been fishing and were returning to their campsite at the Bridgeport Marina Park. The passenger who was seated forward felt the vessel lurch and turned to see Operator had fallen overboard. Operator was holding onto a grab line on the starboard side of the vessel near the stern.  

The passenger feared the propeller would strike Operator so he told him to let go and the passenger would throw him a PFD.  The passenger threw a Type III PFD in Operator’s direction.  Operator was unable to reach the PFD. 

The passenger was unfamiliar with the operation of boats  and was unable to maneuver close enough to rescue Operator. The passenger eventually lost sight of Operator due to the waves. The passenger beached the vessel and called 911. The thrown PFD was later recovered downstream minus Operator. 

The vessel had (2) Type III PFD’s onboard, neither of which was being worn.

Douglas County and Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office marine patrol units searched the area with 3 patrol vessels until 2300 hours and resumed their search at 1000 hours on 09/05/10 with negative results.
Bridgeport                    