Ferry crew assists sailors

Crew of the ferry "Wahkiakum" went to the aid of a sailboat in distress last Saturday.

According to county Public Works Director Pete Ringen, skipper Shawn Mace and deckhand Jon Arness noticed a sailboat was having trouble off Puget Island and they went to investigate.

They found a woman aboard who was calling for help. A male crew member who had been steering the boat had been knocked overboard by the boom. Although the man had gotten back on board, he was suffering hypothermia.

The ferry crew towed the sailboat to the Island ferry landing and called the Cathlamet ambulance to aid the man. The crew also called the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office, and officers came to tow the sailboat to the Elochoman Slough Marina.