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Lincoln County, Oregon
Passengers rescued from whale watching vessel
The rescue operation took place in the coastal bar near Newport. (Courtesy from Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay)
The Coast Guard rescued a whale watching vessel with 49 passengers aboard after it became disabled in the coastal bar near Newport, Wednesday, Sept. 17 The captain of the 62-foot Discovery sent out a ‘mayday’ call to the Coast Guard after the vessel began producing excessive smoke and lost propulsion while in between the Yaquina Bay jetties at approximately 12:45 p.m.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River immediately dispatched two boat crews from Station Yaquina Bay aboard 47-foot motor life boats. They arrived on scene within eight minutes of the initial distress call, according to a release from the Coast Guard. Once on scene, the rescue crews placed the Discovery into a side tow. They transited See RESCUE, page A3
A United States Coast Guard helicopter from North Bend arrived at approximately 4:10 p.m. and attempted to lower a Coast Guard member to the well. (Courtesy photo from Yachats Rural Fire Protection District)
Man perishes in Oregon Coast well
Hiking up into the headlands at Lincoln City continues to be an increasing tourist activity. (Courtesy photos)
Tourism attractions stretching beyond the beach JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
As Lincoln County transitions from summer to fall and winter, local businesses are hopeful that surge of tourism will keep pace. In the following conversation, Lincoln City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lori
Arce-Torres shares insight into the 2025 summer tourist season. Lincoln County Leader: Compared to previous summers, how was the 2025 summer tourist season? Lori Arce-Torres: Explore Lincoln City will have the true percentages See TOURISM, page A6
The Knoll and its viewpoints at Lincoln City have become a popular tourism attraction.
Yachats Rural Fire Protection District, Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue, Seal Rock Fire, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Thor’s Well at 3:36 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, for a person who had fallen into the water and appeared to be drowning. Responding units requested response from the United States Coast Guard, Oregon State Police, and the Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team. The first arriving units were met with conflicting reports from bystanders about whether or not the subject was still in the water, though units were quickly able to determine that the subject was in the water in Thor’s Well. Due to wave conditions, and the nature of
the well, personnel on the ground were unable to perform any recovery efforts. A United States Coast Guard helicopter from North Bend arrived at approximately 4:10 p.m. After two unsuccessful attempts, the USCG rescue swimmer was able to recover the deceased subject. Units began leaving the scene at 5:09 p.m. The events leading up to the subject falling into the water are unclear, but one bystander reported believing that the subject had been getting too close to the edge of the well. The identity of the victim was not immediately available. Yachats Rural Fire Protection District offered condolences to the family of the deceased.
Fall, winter skies offer new views of the Oregon Coast JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
As Oregon Coast cities embrace new options to increase tourism, the city of Lincoln City is looking to the night skies as one resource. During her annual State of the City address in March of this year, Lincoln City Mayor Susan Wahlke stated that for too many people, the night sky has become a forgotten wonder, washed out by the glow of artificial lights. “With 80% of Americans unable to see the Milky Way from
home, dark sky tourism is surging as people seek escapes from urban light pollution,” she said. “Lincoln City has the chance to become one of these destinations. With the vast, light-free expanse of the ocean beside us, we already have a head start—but to truly maximize our dark sky potential, we must take steps to reduce light pollution within the city itself.” Wahlke said reducing light pollution brings countless benefits,
including protecting nocturnal wildlife, reducing See SKIES, page A6
Lincoln City officials are offering the city’s night skies as an option for visitors to view the natural beauty of the Oregon Coast and as a new way to boost tourism. See more photos with this story at the Lincoln County Leader website. (Courtesy photo from Explore Lincoln City)
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