SEABECK — A 77-year-old man was recovered from the water in the Hood Canal after he drowned Thursday afternoon, officials said.
The victim was identified as Douglas William Gant by the Kitsap Sheriff’s office via press release.
Gant reportedly had gone crabbing on his rowboat at about 9 a.m., Brinnon Fire Chief Tim Manly said.
Gant had taken his keys and phone out of his pocket before he entered the water, Manly said. He was pulled from the water about 2:38 p.m.
A call reporting the incident was made at 10:39 a.m., Jefferson County Sheriff Joe Nole said.
The report was “a yellow and silver rowboat dragging anchor unoccupied, due east of McDonald Cove,” Nole said.
A neighbor reported the victim was working with a large and a small boat, and the man reportedly fell out when he attempted to switch boats, Nole said.
Gant was found at 2:22 p.m. and recovered five minutes later. He was pronounced dead at the scene and transferred to the Kitsap County Coroner’s Office.
Gant lived on Hood Point Road Northwest in Kitsap County with his wife, Nole said. He went missing on the Kitsap County side of the canal, Nole added.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Brinnon Fire District shared the 24-foot vessel Integrity to search for the man, and they were joined by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Mason County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Coast Guard.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
