Catch of the day: Umatilla police rescue sinking boat at marina
By Griffin Beach on Friday, July 31st, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA – The Umatilla Police Department went fishing on Wednesday, reeling in an 18-foot boat that was sinking at the Umatilla Marina.
When officers arrived, the boat was in a covered dock with its bow underwater, supported only by mooring lines. The outboard motor remained above water because of the vessel’s built-in flotation. Officials noted that although the bilge pump was running, the boat had taken on so much water that the pump was no longer effective.
Officers found the boat could be lifted out of the water. With some ingenuity from the boat’s owner, they raised the bow and used buckets to bail it out.
It was determined that the boat began sinking because a livewell pump had been left on and was not draining properly.
No environmental cleanup was necessary because no fuel or oil leaked
A Umatilla County sheriff’s deputy also assisted at the scene.
Photo from Umatilla Police Department Facebook page.
