Search underway for three missing people after boat sinks near Mukilteo

[Longfield1]

POSSESSION SOUND, Wash. — A search and rescue has turned into recovery efforts for three people after their boat took on water and sank northeast of Mukilteo Wednesday afternoon.

The U.S. Coast Guard, along with Everett Fire, Everett Police, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, are actively involved in the recovery operation.

Everett police said at around 1:08 p.m., Everett police and fire departments responded to an emergency call reporting a boat was sinking hundreds of feet offshore, west of Harborview Park.

“The police department and the fire department received multiple calls that there was a boat sinking in possession sound approximately 200 feet from shore," said Natalie Given, PIO for the Everett Police Department.


Police continued to note that a man in his 50s was rescued from the sinking vessel by passing boaters. The man in his 50s then reported that three people remained unaccounted for. He described the remaining people as a man in his 60s, a man in his 20s, and a woman in her 40s.

    Upon arrival, police and fire officials located a 26-foot vessel that was substantially submerged," wrote Everett police. "Attempts were made to raise the boat and tow it to shallower waters, but despite efforts, the boat ultimately sank. Multiple agencies responded to assist with the incident. Rescue swimmers, dive teams, marine units, drones, and additional equipment from various jurisdictions were utilized. The U.S. Coast Guard also provided assistance.

Everett police said the group was reportedly out shrimping when the boat began taking on water. However, the circumstances behind the incident are still under investigation, according to police.

“He was out shrimping, and the boat started taking on water, but exactly what caused this to happen, I can’t speak to that. We’re still investigating," said Given.

The lone survivor was uninjured, according to police. The U.S. Coast Guard also said they're looking into whether the boaters had safety gear with them.

“With this case, we’re looking at did they had life jackets on or dry suits, things like that are really going to improve your chances of survival," said Steve Strohmaier, U.S. Coast Guard Spokesperson.






Please wear your life jacket in the ocean. Most people can swim in warm water with a bathing suit on. Swimming with pants, sweatshirts and boots in warm water is difficult. Staying afloat in the ocean thats around 43* is extremely difficult for most people. The boat was only 200 feet from shore and none of them got to shore. Only 1 was picked up by a nearby boat.

From the article seems like either forgot the drain plug or a thru hull fitting busted.

[CP]

Sad news.  Calm, protected waters, mild tides, sunny afternoon.  Hard to imagine something like this happening.  I hope they find the missing people, but if they haven't by now, that's unlikely.

[fishngamereaper]

Shrimp season always takes a couple with it
Sad for all involved

But I can't fathom realizing your taking on water and not having 20 second's to put on life jackets. The boat didn't go down fast, and this wasn't a rogue 12' er on the Ocean...
Besides two lifejackets for everyone one person on my boat I have 6 things readily available that float...
I guess it's possible they didn't have life jacket's on the boat...

[CP]

Yeah, put on your PFD, then fire the engine up and motor into shallow water. 

[birdshooter1189]

Sad story.  I don't spend much time in big (16'+) boats or on salt water, but I take my little 10' aluminum boat and canoes out fishing quite a bit.  For most of my life I would have a life jacket in the boat, but not wear it. It interferred with me casting and felt cumbersome.

Then I had kids and started taking them with me. Myself and every kid WILL have a life jacket on before they get in the boat.  Now I have a fairly comfortable life jacket and it's become second nature to wear it. I'm a very cautious boater, but if my boat ever sinks....I and my kids won't have to worry about keeping our heads above water. We can focus on saving some of the fishing gear.

I know many people go boating without life jackets and come home fine.....but nearly every drowning story has the same factor in common--person wasn't wearing PFD.

[Docspud]

That is crazy.  Seems like every year with shrimping though.  Clog the launches with a half mile of back-up and everyone in a giant rush.  Crap can be forgotten. 

[Stein]

What I can't figure out is how he was more than 100 yards from another boat.  I don't shrimp there but with Brown's Bay closed I would guess there were plenty of people around to lend assistance.  Not only shrimping, but ling is open as well.

WDFW has done a decent job in at least scheduling shrimp days on mild tides.  In the past it was on a set day and the tides could be rowdy depending on the year.

We were talking in my boat about how yesterday may have been the best shrimp conditions we have ever seen.

[ghosthunter]

Sad story.  I don't spend much time in big (16'+) boats or on salt water, but I take my little 10' aluminum boat and canoes out fishing quite a bit.  For most of my life I would have a life jacket in the boat, but not wear it. It interferred with me casting and felt cumbersome.

Then I had kids and started taking them with me. Myself and every kid WILL have a life jacket on before they get in the boat.  Now I have a fairly comfortable life jacket and it's become second nature to wear it. I'm a very cautious boater, but if my boat ever sinks....I and my kids won't have to worry about keeping our heads above water. We can focus on saving some of the fishing gear.

I know many people go boating without life jackets and come home fine.....but nearly every drowning story has the same factor in common--person wasn't wearing PFD.

My wife and I started out in a 16 ft aluminum boat. We had Pfds but seldom wore them. Then we we went to fishing kayaks and she wears a self inflator and I have a regular vest pfd. Then we went to pontoon single person and wear the pfds without fail. We don’t do salt but spend 60-90 days a year fishing small lakes. At 69 and 74 just not worth the risk.

[metlhead]

I put my 21' Sea Fury down off WP about a decade ago. Broken water line overwhelmed the bilge pumps which eventually died when the elec system failed. Foundered for 15 minutes. Plenty of time to gear up. Once water came over the transom, it went under in seconds.

[birdshooter1189]

I put my 21' Sea Fury down off WP about a decade ago. Broken water line overwhelmed the bilge pumps which eventually died when the elec system failed. Foundered for 15 minutes. Plenty of time to gear up. Once water came over the transom, it went under in seconds.

I'm glad you lived to tell about it. 

I know that in many situations, people will have time to recognize the situation and gear up.  But there was a guy recently who drowned off a kayak in puget sound. He called and self reported. Coast guard sent a helicopter....they found his kayak and PFD, but no sign of him.  He was a guy who had it with him, but wasn't wearing it. And also on a kayak that is probably self-buoyant and can't sink. (Effectively making it like a floating life preserver also.)

I suspect the motion of tipping over pushed the kayak away from him. The wind was probably blowing and blew it out of his reach before he had time to grab it and then continued to blow it away faster than he could swim.  In probably less that 1 second, a guy who probably felt confident in his swimming ability, was on a buoyant craft, and had a life jacket on board....became a helpless victim.

I don't feel like I need to tell others what to do.  I used to feel comfortable having my PFD onboard and within reach.  I am now strict about wearing mine at all times when in a small water craft.  If another adult in my boat doesn't want to wear theirs....that's fine, it's their choice. But me and my kids will be wearing ours.

[EnglishSetter]

Mustang Survival HITS work vests for me.  I encourage, but don't require crew to don PFD's unless something gets sketchy (or I know they can't swim/tread).

When a hitchhiker shows up wearing his PFD, I "know" he's serious.  When I hitchhike, I show up with mine on.

RIP to those lost.  Typically loss of life is readily avoidable or at least body recovery.

I also have a $4k liferaft I do everything in my power to never need to use.  But know if I needed it, I'd pay $1MM.

Safety spiel gets spoken every single trip no matter how many times you've been out with me. 

If you ever watch channels such as "Boat Zone" at places like Haulover Inlet, you'll rarely see a PFD donned despite sketch conditions.

EX: 

[CP]

This is the area where the boat went down.  Pretty tame waters.  And the 26' boat was 200 feet off the shore?  It really doesn't add up.

[ganghis]

Even if you're a great swimmer, cold shock can kill anyone.  Involuntary gasping when your head is underwater isn't a good recipe for survival.

[highside74]

This is the area where the boat went down.  Pretty tame waters.  And the 26' boat was 200 feet off the shore?  It really doesn't add up.

Definitely seems odd

[follow maggie]

. 

If you ever watch channels such as "Boat Zone" at places like Haulover Inlet, you'll rarely see a PFD donned despite sketch conditions.

EX: 

I watch those channels from time to time & am always surprised at the number of people traveling through crazy waters w/o life jackets on their kids..