PORT ANGELES — A Coast Guard crew rescued three people unharmed from a 48-foot yacht that was still burning in the Strait of Juan de Fuca at 7:45 p.m. tonight, a Coast Guard spokesman said.
“It’s an ongoing scenario,” said Petty Officer Michael Clark of 13th District headquarters in Seattle.
The blaze 5 miles east of Port Angeles on the power-driven recreational vessel R & D was reported at 5:53 p.m., Clark said.
Information was unavailable on how close the vessel was to land.
“The Coast Guard vessel is still in the vicinity with the three persons with no medical condition,” Clark said.
“The Coast Guard is securing the scene and monitoring it as it does burn.”
Clark said a rescue crew from a 45-foot response boat from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles transferred the three people to safety.
Two crew members tried but were unable to extinguish the blaze.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter was dispatched from the Ediz Hook base but turned back after it was determined it was not needed, Clark said.
Lacking a fire boat, Clark said, personnel will remain at the scene until the flames burn out.
He said the Coast Guard and partner agencies will do what they can to ensure they mitigate risk to the environment.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
