A 65-year old Seattle man was rescued from the ocean at Ocean Shores Friday afternoon after being caught in the surf while fishing, Ocean Shores police said.

The incident comes at a time when Ocean Shores city officials are considering whether to reinstate a surf rescue team that was disbanded in recent years because of cost.

Officer Chris Iverson went into the surf to reach the man, who was about 90 feet from shore. A 911 call was received at 5:25 p.m., reporting that a man was in the water, waving his arms and trying to stay afloat. The incident was a short distance south of the Taurus Blvd. SW beach approach.

The first Ocean Shores Police Officers were on scene in about a minute, but by that time the man was floating in the water and not moving, police said. Iversen put on a life vest and waded into the surf. He was in chest-deep water when he was able to reach the man and begin pulling him ashore.

Responding Fire Department personnel also entered the water and they pulled the man out and immediately began CPR. The man was then taken by ambulance to Community Hospital. At the last check, he had a strong heartbeat and was being treated, according to Ocean Shores Police.

The victim’s brother was on the beach with him, also surf fishing. It is believed that a wave either knocked the man off his feet or he stepped into a hidden trough in the sand, then he was pulled away from shore by