The dory boat operator who struck Cole Ortega on July 6, severing his arm, won’t have charges filed against him.
The fact is that the incident between Cole Ortega and the dory boat was preventable. Numerous witnesses have stated that the operator of the dory boat failed to sound his horn, as required, before approaching the beach. The dory boat operator was sited for not carrying or having a boater’s safety card and class after the incident, but this was not deemed grounds for negligence by the sheriff’s department. Wouldn’t the Marine Board and Coast Guard see otherwise as this program was put in place to help prevent boating accidents? Furthermore, police at the scene did not even test the boat operator for use of alcohol or other drugs to determine if there was unsafe operation of the boat.
Nearly all nearshore waters and all vessels operate within the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard. The Tillamook County Sheriff’s Department have completed their investigation - however you may formally request an investigation from both the marine board and the coast guard.
