Coast Guard searching for possible person in the water north of Grays Harbor

[The Patriot]

WARRENTON, Ore. — The Coast Guard is searching the area north of the North Jetty of Grays Harbor after a report of a capsized 20-foot Boston Whaler 30 yards offshore and in the surf zone Thursday.

The Coast Guard is searching the area with crews aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Grays Harbor located in Westport, Washington, and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria and local authorities are checking on information gathered from the registration numbers on the boat.

The initial report came into the Coast Guard at about 7:10 p.m., from a person walking the beach, and who dialed 911. The 911 dispatcher forwarded the call to watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River.

There is reported debris washing ashore from the boat but there has been no sightings of anyone in distress.

"If there is anyone that has information regarding the owners of a Boston Whaler or of persons that were expected to be operating in the area, please contact the Coast Guard at 503-861-6211," said Petty Officer 1st Class Starr Franklin, command center watchstander at Sector Columbia River. "We treat every report of a possible person in the water seriously because in this environment every minute counts."

Sea conditions in the search area are 6-foot seas with a 2-foot swell and the water temperature is 59 degrees. The air temperature was 63 degrees at the time of the initial report.




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