One dead after fishing vessel sinks near Point Roberts, Washington

One person has died and another was rescued after a 25-foot (7.6-metre) skiff with two people on board began taking on water and sank near Point Roberts, Washington, on Monday, August 11. The incident prompted a response from both US and Canadian authorities, as well as a private vessel.

Watchstanders at US Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Puget Sound received a report of the sinking vessel at 15:57 in the vicinity of the red can buoy near Point Roberts. The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of rescue crews from USCG Station Bellingham and USCG Air Station Port Angeles. The Canadian Coast Guard also responded with its hovercraft, the CCGS Siyay.

A “good samaritan” vessel responded to the broadcast and recovered one of the fishermen from the water in good condition. The “good samaritan” also assisted rescue crews in locating the second fisherman. Lifesaving measures were attempted by both US and Canadian Coast Guard members, but the individual was later transferred to emergency medical services at Blaine Harbor and was declared deceased.

The weather on scene at the time of the incident was reported to be two-foot seas and fifteen-knot winds.