UPDATE: The Coast Guard suspended the search as of 1:43 pm Tuesday. “The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one to make and is done with great care and deliberation,” said Lt. Cmdr. Darkeim Brown, search and rescue mission controller at Sector Puget Sound. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man.”
SEATTLE — Coast Guard crews are searching for a 54-year-old man in Rich Passage near Bainbridge Island, Monday.
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Seattle, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles and the Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo, an 87-foot Coast Patrol Boat homeported in Port Angeles, are searching for a Bainbridge Island-man reportedly wearing blue jeans and a sweat shirt and not wearing a life jacket.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received the initial report from Bainbridge Island Police Department around 6:30 p.m. of a 15-foot unmanned adrift vessel.
The RBM boatcrew arrived on scene and discovered multiple indications the vessel was being used, including a fishing pole and an open tackle box. The wife confirmed to the Coast Guard that his truck and trailer were still at the Port Orchard Marina boat ramp.
If there is anyone with any possible information regarding the mariner’s location, please contact the Coast Guard at (206)217-6001.
Weather on scene is overcast with 12 mph winds, an air temperature of 55 degrees and a water temperature of 55 degrees.
