Video: USCG releases harrowing footage of man abandoning yacht

US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest has released harrowing footage of a man jumping into the water from his disabled 26-foot sailboat off the coast of Fort Stevens near Astoria. The man was rescued by a Station Cape Disappointment boatcrew and taken back to awaiting EMS.

The vessel has subsequently washed ashore in Fort Stevens State Park.

Social media commentators note that this is a dangerous area, though there is a lively debate as to the man’s course of action in leaving the boat.

One says: “Those sailboats can take a lot abuse before they go down. He was more likely to get dashed by the boat that anything,” with another asking “Is there any justification in jumping off the boat? The vessel was still buoyant, so why not wait there for the rescue?”