SEATTLE — Coast Guard crews are searching for a cruise ship passenger northwest of Protection Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Monday.
Coast Guard crews from Air Station Port Angeles, Coast Guard Cutter Blueshark, Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo and Station Port Angeles are conducting a search of the area.
Sector Puget Sound watchstanders received a call around 10:55 a.m. from a Holland America vessel agent reporting a passenger aboard the Statendam, a Netherland-flagged passenger ship with Holland America, was unaccounted for after the vessel arrived in Seattle this morning.
The missing 65-year-old man, a U.S. citizen, was confirmed aboard the ship by vessel staff when it departed Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, at 11 p.m., Sunday.
Coast Guard crews were launched to initially search the vessel’s route, but were diverted after Holland America personnel reported a review of shipboard security footage.
Crews conducting the search include an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles, the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Blueshark, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Everett, the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Wahoo, an 87-patrol boat homeported in Port Angeles, and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Port Angeles.
“The Coast Guard is working closely with Holland America staff to locate the missing passenger,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Derik Schaefer, situation unit watchstander at Sector Puget Sound. “Mariners transiting through the area are urged to keep a sharp lookout for any signs of distress and report it to the Coast Guard.”
For more information regarding Holland America’s response, please contact Sally Andrews (206) 281-3535.
Ed. Note: nwyachting.com readers are asked to pass the word, and if you’re in the area keep a sharp lookout.
