Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District



Press Release Date: June, 29, 2005
Contact: PA2 Kurt Fredrickson
(206) 220-7237

COAST GUARD SUSPENDS SEARCH FOR BOY LOST IN SURF NEAR FLORENCE, ORE.

SEATTLE, Ore. - The Coast Guard suspended the search for a
15-year-old boy who was last seen in the surf Tuesday, north of the
Siuslaw River Jetty near Harbor Vista Park in Florence, Ore.

The search for Ian Foster, which began at about 2 p.m., Tuesday was
called off at 8 p.m.

Two HH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station North Bend, Ore., two
47-foot Motor Life Boats and a shore patrol from Coast Guard Station
Siuslaw River, Ore., responded. Local fire department crews, a fire
department dive team and emergency medical technicians also searched
for the boy.

The Coast Guard received a report from local 911 at 1:35 p.m., Tuesday
that Foster was struggling in the surf.

One of the 47-foot Motor Life Boats reported seeing Foster struggling
in the water in the surf zone. After the first sighting, Coast Guard
crews lost sight of the boy.

The helicopter and boat crews thoroughly searched a three-and-a-half by
two-and-a-half mile area around the Siuslaw River Jetty but found no
sign of Foster.

The Coast Guard would like to remind beach goers that wading or
swimming along coastal beaches can be hazardous. Swift currents and
unpredictable rip tides can grab swimmers pulling them further
offshore. Surf zones often have debris, such as logs that weigh several
tons, that can injur swimmers.

Swimmers are encouraged to use swimming facilities that are monitered
by lifeguards. Other suggestions to improve your safety on the beach
can be found at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department at
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/beach_tips.shtml or at the Oregon
Coast Visitors Association at http://www.visittheoregoncoast.com .

###


The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service
within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and
security of America.



View this document online
U.S. Coast Guard - 13th District
13th District Public Information Site
Visit this link to unsubscribe:
http://www.piersystem.com/unsubscribe.cfm?cid=21