1 dead, 2 injured when boat capsizes near Sucia Island
SUCIA ISLAND, Wash. - One man died and two others were injured when their boat capsized near Sucia Island on Friday afternoon.
The men were trying to pull up a stuck shrimp pot when their 17-foot Boston Whaler capsized, throwing them into the water, according to the San Juan County sheriff's office.
U.S. Coast Guard officials said a passer-by rescued the trio around 2:45 p.m. It was not clear how long they had been in the water or what their conditions were.
The Coast Guard launched a 47-foot motor life boat from its Bellingham station to pick up the three Bellingham men. Medics were performing CPR on at least one person during the transport.
The man who died was later identified as James R. Ableman, 72, of Bellingham.
The survivors were taken to Friday Harbor and placed in the care of local medical EMS.
"This is an unfortunate case and our condolences go out to the family of the crew member that is deceased," said Coast Guard Capt. Scott Ferguson, Sector Puget Sound commanding officer. "All three crew members were wearing their life jackets, which is a very good thing that most likely prevented the accident from being worse."
The men were wearing inflatable flotation devices, but the man who died was unable to get the device inflated, according to the sheriff's office.
Ferguson said boaters need to remember that local waters are cold and asked them to always take extra safety precautions when they're on the water.
Officials from the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard are investigating the incident.
The men were trying to pull up a stuck shrimp pot when their 17-foot Boston Whaler capsized, throwing them into the water, according to the San Juan County sheriff's office.
U.S. Coast Guard officials said a passer-by rescued the trio around 2:45 p.m. It was not clear how long they had been in the water or what their conditions were.
The Coast Guard launched a 47-foot motor life boat from its Bellingham station to pick up the three Bellingham men. Medics were performing CPR on at least one person during the transport.
The man who died was later identified as James R. Ableman, 72, of Bellingham.
The survivors were taken to Friday Harbor and placed in the care of local medical EMS.
"This is an unfortunate case and our condolences go out to the family of the crew member that is deceased," said Coast Guard Capt. Scott Ferguson, Sector Puget Sound commanding officer. "All three crew members were wearing their life jackets, which is a very good thing that most likely prevented the accident from being worse."
The men were wearing inflatable flotation devices, but the man who died was unable to get the device inflated, according to the sheriff's office.
Ferguson said boaters need to remember that local waters are cold and asked them to always take extra safety precautions when they're on the water.
Officials from the sheriff's office and the Coast Guard are investigating the incident.
