Deckhand drowns in Charleston Harbor | News

COOS BAY, Ore. - Two kayakers and a sail boat captain were unable to save deckhand who drowned after falling from a pleasure boat at the mouth of Charleston Harbor.

The captain of the sailing vessel Idaho dropped sails and attempted to motor around to rescue deckhand Robert Partipilo, 43, after he fell into the water near where the harbor enters Coos Bay just after noon Sunday.

A line from the boat's sails got tangled in the propeller, which caused the boat to lose power, he told the sheriff's office. The captain was forced to drop anchor.

The Idaho had been headed to upper Coos Bay for a pleasure trip.

Two kayakers on the water fishing saw Partipilo in the water and attempted to help him. Partipilo was not wearing a lifejacket, and he slipped below the water surface and didn't come back up just moments before the kayakers reached him.

The captain of the Idaho had immediately delivered a mayday to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard responded within several minutes but was unable to arrive quick enough to be of assistance, the sheriff's office said.

The North Bend Fire Volunteer dive team was called, as well as the Coos County Sheriffs Office Marine Patrol. 

The Dive team took the point where the victim was last scene and began their search. The divers located and recovered the body 2 hours after their search began.