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Petty Officer 2nd Class Darren Harrity, 27, of Jupiter, Fla., swam 1,750 yards in 5-foot seas and 30-mph winds to rescue the crew of Jamie K, a 52-foot commercial fishing vessel.

Harrity individually pulled each person more than 250 yards in 57-degree water from their life raft to shore. The call came in at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, stating they were taking on water and had lost power.

The vessel then ran aground, at which time the crew donned survival suits and abandoned ship into their life raft.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station North Bend and two 47-foot Motor Life Boat crews from Coast Guard Search and Rescue Detachments Rogue River and Coquille River launched to assist.

The aircrew arrived on scene at 2:49 a.m. and lowered Harrity into the water next to the life raft. Shortly after, the aircrew reported experiencing mechanical issues with the helicopter and was unable to safely complete additional hoists. The aircrew remained on scene until all of the fishermen and rescue swimmer had safely made it to shore and then landed on the nearby beach.

The fishing vessel was reportedly carrying 3,000 gallons of diesel and 10,000 pounds of shrimp. A sheen was reported in the area, but it's currently unknown how much fuel has been released. The incident is under investigation by pollution responders from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland.

http://theworldlink.com/news/local/coast-guard-rescue-swimmer-saves-near-cape-blanco/article_be9fa8e1-ef52-5b17-84bf-e70d341323a2.html