PORT TOWNSEND — A State Patrol trooper rescued a man from a sailboat that ran aground on a sandbar in Port Townsend.
The Sundancer, a 30-foot sailboat from Port Ludlow, was reported in distress after 8 p.m. Wednesday at Point Hudson. State Patrol, Port Townsend Police Department and East Jefferson Fire-Rescue personnel responded and saw that the sailboat had run aground about 150 yards from shore.
It was leaning on its side with sails partially in the water. Units arrived as the tide was going out.
Responders saw a man aboard the sailboat and called out to him, but received no response, the State Patrol said.
As the tide continued to go out, Trooper Jamieson Hodgson waded into the knee-deep water to contact the man. Hodgson found Eric T. Dolinar of California, 40, partially clothed and shivering inside the cabin.
Prior to that, the water had been deeper. High tide at 4 p.m. Wednesday was reported at 8.5 feet, while low tide at about 10:30 p.m. was reported at minus 1 foot.
Trooper Chelsea Hodgson said the man had been living on the boat and that it was his first time sailing that boat. She was unsure of his experience with sailing.
He tried to make it to shore aboard a dingy, but it capsized and he fell into the water.
He climbed back onto the sailboat, where he stayed until he was contacted by Jamieson Hodgson.
Jamieson Hodgson, who has experience with boats, secured the vessel by dropping anchor and pulling the mast, Chelsea Hodgson said.
He escorted the man back to shore, where he was evaluated by aid crews, who then provided him a courtesy ride to the overnight shelter at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard said the state Department of Fish and Wildlife removed the outboard motors from the dingy and that there is no risk of pollution.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
