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Press Release | April 18, 2025

Coast Guard suspends search for overdue boaters off Neah Bay, Washington

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard suspended the search Thursday night for two people on board a 15-foot pleasure craft, which capsized off Neah Bay, Washington, pending new information. 

Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound watchstanders received a report from the Makah Tribal Police Department at approximately 11 p.m., Apr. 16, that a vessel failed to return to its slip at 8 p.m. as scheduled. The vessel was later discovered capsized on a beach near Koitlah Point. 

The Coast Guard responded with multiple aircraft and vessels alongside our tribal, local, state, federal, and Canadian partners. Rescue crews searched over 850 square nautical miles, over a 28 hour period. 

A 64-year-old female was recovered deceased on Thursday afternoon. The 63-year-old male and 69-year-old male are still missing. All individuals are related and are residents of Snohomish County, Wash. 

"The decision to suspend the search pending new information is not an easy one," said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Mark McDonell, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. "The U.S. Coast Guard is grateful for the support from our international, state, and tribal partners who also searched a significant amount of area near Neah Bay. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing boaters." 

Involved in the search were as follows: 

  • 47-foot Motor lifeboat crews from Coast Guard Station Neah Bay, Wash. 

  • The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Blue Shark (WPB-87360) 

  • MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash. 

  • MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews from Air Station Astoria, Ore. 

  • C-27J Spartan crews from Air Station Sacramento, Calif. 

  • Crews from Sector Puget Sound 

  • Crews from Coast Guard District 13 

  • Joint Rescue Coordination Center Victoria, British Columbia 

  • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 

  • The Makah Tribal Police  

  • Washington State Patrol 

  • Customs and Border Patrol: Air and Marine Operations Bellingham, Wash. 

  • Canadian coast guard Ship Vector 

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office is investigating and will release the names of the missing and deceased at a later date. 

If anyone has new information regarding this case, contact Sector Puget Sound at 206-217-6001. 

search and rescue

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