Surfer having problems just south of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse?
5:45pm Report of a surfer struggling to get back to shore south of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. Agate Beach Wayside area. Coast Guard summoned to the area.
5:54pm Nobody is at the local surf shop. They’re headed out to the beach to hopefully see who is in distress.
5:55pm People on the beach say there are no vehicles close to the beach.
5:57pm Rescue crew is heading north along the beach.
5:59pm One rescuer has spotted what looks to be a surfer walking toward him.
6:10pm Observers say they see a light off shore blinking. Could be a fishing vessel. Not sure.
6:15pm Fire Rescue says they can see a light offshore but it might be a small fishing boat.
6:17pm Newport Fire Chief says they see a flashing light about a mile offshore. The Chief says he wants the Coast Guard to get out there and see if it’s a fishing boat or a stranded surfer.
6:19pm A Coast Guard Helicopter is headed to the area to see any sign of a surfer being taken out by a seaward flow.
6:33pm Fire Chief says it appears to be a science beacon. No sign of any stranded surfer. Chief shuts down the search. It’s common for a Coast Guard Helicopter to hang out in the air for a while in case they see something. Tonight they didn’t see anything but a science project buoy.
