US Coast Guard Suspends Search Along Washington Coast for Missing Man

Published 05/10/25 at 5:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Westport, Washington) – The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and various civilians Friday suspended their search for a man missing in the waters of the central Washington coast. Searching ended at 8:40 p.m., after the 44-year-old captain of the 68-foot fishing vessel, Captain Raleigh, disappeared as it sank in the area of Westport, Washington. (Photo courtesy US Coast Guard: searcher vessels near Westport)

Boatcrew from the USCG station in Grays Harbor managed to rescue several others from the fishing vessel, which went down earlier that day, May 9.

“The Captain Raleigh was underway Friday morning when the vessel master issued a distress call around 8:15 a.m. stating they were taking on water and the onboard pumps could not keep up,” USCG said.

USCG watchstanders at the Columbia station immediately issued a Urgent Marine Information Broadcast for anyone in the area of Grays Harbor to render assistance. Personnel also came from Station Grays Harbor and the air station in Astoria on the Oregon coast side.

Search grid patterns used by crew

“A good Samaritan vessel pulled alongside the Captain Raleigh a few minutes after the distress call to provide a dewatering pump,” USCG said.

The boatcrew from Grays Harbor arrived on the scene around 8:30 a.m., and within minutes the Captain Raleigh sank. Three from the vessel - with life jackets already on - were immediately retrieved by the USCG's boatcrew. Rescue personnel were told the captain of the Captain Raleigh was still aboard as it sank at the Grays Harbor entrance.

The rescued individuals were taken to Station Grays Harbor for medical evaluation, while additional Coast Guard boat crews and an air team from Air Station Astoria joined the search effort. Overhead, the air crew began searching and surveying this section of the Washington coast at 9 a.m.

Authorities also enlisted the assistance of a U.S. Navy dive team, which was transported to the site via a Navy helicopter from Air Station Whidbey Island. Divers were then ferried to the wreck site by Coast Guard boat crews. Additionally, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging vessel was dispatched to aid in locating the sunken vessel. By 11:45 a.m., its crew had pinpointed Captain Raleigh's final location.

Despite efforts to access the wreck, challenging environmental conditions - including strong currents, debris, and poor underwater visibility - prevented divers from reaching the vessel's interior until late in the evening.

Courtesy Washington State Parks

"This is a tragedy for our fishing communities," said Capt. 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."

Efforts are now focused on mitigating potential pollution, with the Coast Guard working closely with the Washington Department of Ecology. Officials report no shoreline impact has occurred at this time.

A commercial salvage team from Seattle is currently developing a recovery plan, with the vessel resting in approximately 40 feet of water outside the navigable channel.

Authorities continue to assess the situation as search operations remain ongoing.

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Bottle Beach area near Westport

Westport area, courtesy Washington State Parks

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