A woman spotted struggling in the waters of the Willamette River was rescued Tuesday night by the crew of one of Portland’s iconic Christmas Ships, according to multiple news reports.

Rob Steffeck, captain of the 40-foot ship “Off the Clock,” spotted what he thought was a log floating in the river.

“As it came down the side of my boat, we saw that it was a person,” Steffeck told FOX 12 News. “The only thing above water was just part of their face, and the person just kind of weakly said, ‘Help me.’”

Steffeck radioed the boats behind him and quickly put the boat in reverse.

“As I back my boat up to him, the person started going under. They were probably under for about 30 seconds,” Steffeck said. “I mean, we could see bubbles coming up and just a hand above.”

A crew member grabbed a boat hook and dragged the woman, who was described as only semi-coherent, to the back of the boat where he was hauled aboard. The water temperature was around 42 degrees and the woman appeared to be hypothermic, Steffeck said.

Once the woman was aboard, the crew wrapped her in blankets and waited for Portland Fire & Rescue, who arrived minutes later and took the woman to a nearby hospital.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office told KGW News that the woman had been in crisis and jumped from the Steel Bridge.

“We’re hopeful that this person has family or friends that maybe are having a better day because of us and you just got to know someone out there loves you,” Steffeck said.

-- Kale Williams

kwilliams@oregonian.com

503-294-4048

@sfkale

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This story has been updated to reflect the correct gender of the person rescued from the river.