NEWS RELEASE FROM the Coast Guard today; none of those rescued or the Good Samaritans were identified:
PORT ANGELES — A Coast Guard aircrew rescued four people after their vessel ran aground today (Monday) near Eagle Point on San Juan Island.
All four people were transferred to EMS waiting on a local road at 3 p.m. with no reported injuries.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound in Seattle received a call via VHF-FM radio channel 16 at 1:20 p.m. from a good Samaritan vessel, reporting that a 23-foot recreational vessel had run hard aground.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles and a 45-foot Response Boat – Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham were launched to assist.
The aircrew arrived on scene around 2:13 p.m. and observed the vessel rocking heavily. All four people were able to make it out of the boat and onto the rocks, where they were hoisted by the aircrew.
“We’re thankful that everyone was able walk away from this incident safely,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Chason Ashworth, a member of the operations unit at Sector Puget Sound.
“The decisive action of the good Samaritans on scene enabled us to quickly and efficiently provide assistance to these mariners in need.”
Vessel Assist was unable to recover the vessel due to its location. Coast Guard officials are working with the owner to develop a salvage plan.
There have been no reports of pollution from the grounded vessel.
The incident is under investigation.
Weather on scene was reportedly 1 to 5 foot seas and 14-mph winds.
