Applegate Lake, Ore. — Two brothers are okay, after their fishing boat capsized in Applegate Lake on Friday morning.
“I stood up in the boat, and lost my balance just a little bit and turned the boat over,” Mike Osgood said. “We both got over here, and we’re still breathing when we got here, so that was a good thing.”
Osgood says both he and his brother were thrown into the water, along with their fishing poles, tackle boxes, and life jackets.
“We kind of got stuck out in the middle of the lake,” Osgood said. “With some life preservers, fortunately.”
With the help of those life jackets, the pair were able to guide their boat back to shore.
“It seemed like it took us about five hours, but I don’t know how long it was, probably 15 or 20 minutes,” Osgood said.
Comparatively, 15 or 20 minutes doesn’t seem too bad. But Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Phil Cicero says that’s cutting it close.
“Hypothermia can set in quickly,” Cicero said.
The men had life jackets, and a whistle. Deputy Cicero says it’s a good reminder for everyone on the water.
“Make sure their safety equipment is functional and working, and accessible,” Cicero added.
Cicero says boaters should also tell someone their plan, including here they’re going, and when they’re expecting to be back.
For more information on boating requirements and safety tips, click here.
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