The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is passing along the following statement on behalf of the family of John David Martin:
"Our family is devastated by the loss of John. He was everyone's very best friend. His loss will ripple through this and future family generations.
We would like to thank the US Coast Guard and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, along with the many other agencies who did all they could to rescue John, and later when they tried to recover him. We know everyone did all they could, with all their assets to bring us hope and peace.
We also want to thank the media who we know needs to finish this story with dignity, for respecting our privacy during this torturous hardship. The media who has shown up at his home has graciously left without an incident, which is very appreciated.
This family of ours is full of love, and knows the grace of God during times like these. On these things we can rely. "
------------------Final Update-----------------------
Final Update: MCSO Dive team completed searching the area around Ackerman Island shortly before 3:00 p.m. Search efforts were unsuccessful. Further recovery efforts have been suspended pending new information or developments.
Missing Person Flyer attached.
-----------------Update2---------------
Update2: The MCSO Dive team commenced search operations near Ackerman Island shortly before 10:00 a.m. in the area of the last reported location of the missing swimmer, identified as John David Martin, Age 50, of Portland, OR. The MCSO Dive Team is continuing search efforts this afternoon and once complete will assess any next steps in recovery efforts.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.
---------------------Update1-------------
Update1: Shortly before 11:00 p.m. emergency rescue personnel suspended search and rescue efforts for the missing swimmer. The Sheriff's Office has begun preparing for recovery efforts to commence in the morning with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Dive Team. Rescue boats from Portland Fire, Gresham Fire, Vancouver Fire, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter were involved in search and rescue efforts. Emergency crews utilized sidescan sonar, FLIR and dragbars as they searched the river areas near the swimmer's last reported location as they attempted to locate him. The U.S. Coast Guard helicopter also covered Ackerman Island in case the swimmer had made it back to shore on another part of the island.
No further updates are expected until dive operations commence in the morning.
------------------------Original Message---------------------------
This evening, Wednesday July 27, 2016, MCSO River Patrol deputies responded to the report of a missing swimmer off the north side of Ackerman Island shortly before 9:00 p.m. MCSO River Patrol, Vancouver Fire, Gresham Fire and Portland Fire rescue boats also responded to the scene. Rescue boats are currently searching the waters north of Ackerman Island for the missing swimmer. The U.S. Coast Guard has also dispatched a helicopter to assist in the search.
Preliminary reports indicate the swimmer, an adult male in his 50's, who was on the island with family members was attempting to retrieve their boat which had become unanchored from the shore on Ackerman Island and drifted out towards the channel. Reports indicate he swam back and forth to the boat several times before disappearing from view. Rescue efforts are continuing at this time.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.
Media staging is near Chinook Landing. PIO is on scene.
"Our family is devastated by the loss of John. He was everyone's very best friend. His loss will ripple through this and future family generations.
We would like to thank the US Coast Guard and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, along with the many other agencies who did all they could to rescue John, and later when they tried to recover him. We know everyone did all they could, with all their assets to bring us hope and peace.
We also want to thank the media who we know needs to finish this story with dignity, for respecting our privacy during this torturous hardship. The media who has shown up at his home has graciously left without an incident, which is very appreciated.
This family of ours is full of love, and knows the grace of God during times like these. On these things we can rely. "
------------------Final Update-----------------------
Final Update: MCSO Dive team completed searching the area around Ackerman Island shortly before 3:00 p.m. Search efforts were unsuccessful. Further recovery efforts have been suspended pending new information or developments.
Missing Person Flyer attached.
-----------------Update2---------------
Update2: The MCSO Dive team commenced search operations near Ackerman Island shortly before 10:00 a.m. in the area of the last reported location of the missing swimmer, identified as John David Martin, Age 50, of Portland, OR. The MCSO Dive Team is continuing search efforts this afternoon and once complete will assess any next steps in recovery efforts.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.
---------------------Update1-------------
Update1: Shortly before 11:00 p.m. emergency rescue personnel suspended search and rescue efforts for the missing swimmer. The Sheriff's Office has begun preparing for recovery efforts to commence in the morning with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Dive Team. Rescue boats from Portland Fire, Gresham Fire, Vancouver Fire, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter were involved in search and rescue efforts. Emergency crews utilized sidescan sonar, FLIR and dragbars as they searched the river areas near the swimmer's last reported location as they attempted to locate him. The U.S. Coast Guard helicopter also covered Ackerman Island in case the swimmer had made it back to shore on another part of the island.
No further updates are expected until dive operations commence in the morning.
------------------------Original Message---------------------------
This evening, Wednesday July 27, 2016, MCSO River Patrol deputies responded to the report of a missing swimmer off the north side of Ackerman Island shortly before 9:00 p.m. MCSO River Patrol, Vancouver Fire, Gresham Fire and Portland Fire rescue boats also responded to the scene. Rescue boats are currently searching the waters north of Ackerman Island for the missing swimmer. The U.S. Coast Guard has also dispatched a helicopter to assist in the search.
Preliminary reports indicate the swimmer, an adult male in his 50's, who was on the island with family members was attempting to retrieve their boat which had become unanchored from the shore on Ackerman Island and drifted out towards the channel. Reports indicate he swam back and forth to the boat several times before disappearing from view. Rescue efforts are continuing at this time.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.
Media staging is near Chinook Landing. PIO is on scene.