US Coast Guard Calls Off Search for 79-Year-Old Woman Missing in Washington Coast Waters

Published 08/13/25 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Westport, Washington) — The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has suspended its search around the Washington coast for a 79-year-old woman who went missing while kayaking near Westport, officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon. (Above: search grid pattern used by USCG during this incident off Washington)

The search was called off at 1:55 p.m. after extensive efforts failed to locate the woman, who was reported overdue around 6 p.m. Monday. According to Coast Guard Sector Columbia River on the Oregon coast side, the woman became separated from her husband in the Oyhut Bay area due to deteriorating weather conditions in the area.

Responding to the report, the Coast Guard launched a helicopter from Air Station Astoria and a boat crew from Station Grays Harbor. At approximately 7:20 p.m., the helicopter crew discovered an overturned green kayak matching the description of the missing woman’s vessel.

Search operations continued until 11:30 p.m. Monday and resumed at first light Tuesday morning with additional support from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles. Despite coordinated efforts involving Grays Harbor Fire and Police, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean Shores Police, and Washington State Parks, no further signs of the woman were found.

USCG file photo

“Suspending a search is never a decision we make lightly,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jacquilne Hunnicutt, search and rescue mission coordinator. “We work methodically with our partners, using every available resource, until all reasonable chances of rescue have been exhausted. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

The USCG has not released the identity of the missing woman.

USCG file photo

USCG crews from central Oregon coast ran into a similar situation on Sunday, when a crew of fishermen were in distress near Newport. After rescuing three crewmembers, the USCG eventually had to suspend its search Monday morning for a fourth missing fisherman. Their vessel had capsized near the Yaquina Bay Jetty.

US Coast Guard Halts Search for Missing Fisherman Off Central Oregon Coast - The vessel capsized near Newport's Yaquina Bay Jetty over the weekend

The commercial fishing boat Das Bug was transiting inbound through the Yaquina Bay Jetty when it happened.

The first three individuals onboard were pulled from the water by a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay. All were transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital and treated for hypothermia.

Searching went on into the night for the fourth man, who was presumed lost in the water. The search was called after about a day worth of looking in treacherous Oregon ocean conditions. His name has not yet been realized as well.

Coast Guard Crews from Two States Rescue Disabled Vessel Off Oregon Coast - 97-foot vessel Defiant reported it was adrift off Newport

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USCG file photo

USCG file photo

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