The U.S. Coast Guard remained busy in perilous waters up and down the Oregon Coast on Saturday, rescuing two surfers in distress north of Cannon Beach, just three days after responding to the capsizing of a boat that killed three fishermen near Newport.

An aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Sector Columbia River safely completed two hoists at Indian Beach and transported the surfers to Warrenton, where they declined medical care and were released.

Watchstanders at the Sector Columbia River Command Center received the distress notification from Seaside 911 dispatch at 11:47 a.m., and immediately directed the launch of the aircrew and a boat crew from Station Cape Disappointment.

Both surfers were pushed by the surf into a nearby cliff-side cove. The aircrew arrived on scene at around 12:15 p.m. and conducted 150-foot hoists to get the surfers to safety. The hoists were completed at 12:35 p.m. and dropped the surfers off at about 12:45.

A Station Cape Disappointment boat crew returned to base before arriving on scene.

U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Petty Officer First Class Levi Read said the Coast Guard has been affected by the federal government shutdown, but continues to focus on port security and search-and-rescue operations such as the one Wednesday at Yaquina Bay.

“We will continue to assist mariners and carry out our essential missions,” he said.