VIDEO: Boaters found drifting around Coos Bay in makeshift, 2-ton barge
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A pair of boaters were found stranded on a makeshift, 2-ton barge drifting around Coos Bay on Aug. 12, the North Bend Police Department said.
The U.S. Coast Guard came to the boaters’ aid near Ferry Road Park at approximately 7:30 p.m. A USCG boat removed the man and woman from the unlicensed vessel and took them to a nearby dock. The unusual boat was equipped with two electric-powered motors. However, both motors were dead, and the pair was allegedly trying to hitchhike upriver to the Shinglehouse Slough when authorities arrived.
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“The officers contacted an adult male and adult female on a barge that was assembled with some type of steel floats, and logs,” North Bend Police Chief Cal Mitts told KOIN 6. “The barge appeared to be over 20 feet in length and likely weighed over 2 tons.”
The barge had no life jackets, safety equipment or navigation lights, North Bend PD said. However, it was fitted with a tent and an inflatable raft.
Authorities tied the boat down with a rock and it was last seen drifting 100-200 yards east of the McCullough Bridge. The City of Bend is working to seize the hazardous vessel and remove it from the bay at the taxpayers’ expense.
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