The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for the 44-year-old captain aboard the 68-foot (21-metre) fishing vessel Captain Raleigh where it sank near Westport, Washington, on Friday, May 9.
Three people who were aboard the vessel were rescued from the water by a rescue boat crew from US Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor.
Captain Raleigh was underway Friday when the vessel master issued a distress call at around 08:15 local time, stating they were taking on water and the onboard pumps could not keep up.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Columbia immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast for anyone in the area to render assistance. They also dispatched rescue boat crews from Station Grays Harbor and an aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria.
A Good Samaritan vessel pulled alongside Captain Raleigh a few minutes after the distress call to provide a dewatering pump.
A rescue crew from Station Grays Harbor arrived on scene at around 08:30. A few minutes after they arrived on scene, the fishing boat quickly sank.
Three crewmembers from the fishing vessel who were in lifejackets entered the water and were immediately picked up by the coast guard boatcrew.
The captain was reported to still be aboard Captain Raleigh when it sank near the Grays Harbor bar entrance.
The three who were rescued were brought back to the station for evaluation by emergency medical services personnel, and two additional boat crews from Station Grays Harbor joined the search efforts. The aircrew from Air Station Astoria arrived overhead at 09:00 to begin search patterns.
A US Navy dive team was also requested to assist in the search efforts. A Navy helicopter from Air Station Whidbey Island transported the dive team to Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor and divers were transported to the scene by coast guard boat crews.
Additionally, A US Army Corps of Engineers dredger arrived on scene to assist in locating the sunken vessel. At 11:45., they pinpointed the location of Captain Raleigh.
Due to strong environmental conditions, the navy dive team was unable to access the wreck site until closer to 18:00. Unfortunately, debris, poor visibility, and strong subsurface currents prevented the divers from accessing the interior of the fishing vessel.
"This is a tragedy for our fishing communities," said Captain Justin Noggle, commander of Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. "I’m thankful our Coast Guard crews were able to save the three crewmembers quickly, and our hearts are with the family and friends of everyone impacted by this tremendous loss.”