4-12-2007

If you were driving between Portland and Vancouver (or vice versa) today between 11 AM and 1 PM, you probably noticed some activity in the water. Thanks to a plug about the size of a large gumball (the kind you buy from a quarter machine at the entrance to a grocery store), a husband and wife almost SANK into the Columbia.

Mike Hryciw (pronounced Hi-ri-shew) and Jean Healy just had their 24-foot Bayliner Classic boat winterized and were taking it out for a quick spin on the water. At the section of river near the I-5 bridge, the engine died.

Then, the boat started taking on water.

Then, it started sinking.

The couple hurriedly called for help, pulled on their life jackets and moved to the front of the ship to balance out the weight. Under the grey skies, they sat on their slowly sinking vessel as it drifted downstream, almost stopping directly under the bridge.

Multnomah County Sheriff's rescue teams were able to catch up to the couple and pull them to safety before pumping the water out of their ship and towing it to shore.

So how did this whole mess happen?

It turns out, a small drainage plug was not replaced after the couple finished their winterizing. That plug allowed a steady flow of water into the engine killing it. Then, more water poured in flooding the motor compartment.

I had the chance to speak with the twosome after they reached the dock. They admit the day was pretty creepy and not what they were hoping for, but everyones fine ... they're extremely grateful to the Multnomah County Sheriff's office. No word on damage to the boat.