OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Olympic National Park rangers continued to search today for the body of Clifford Dopps, 74, who is missing and presumed drowned after a boat capsized Wednesday.
Park rangers are searching a remote section of the park’s wilderness coastline between Shi Shi Beach and Rialto Beach, BarbMaynes, park spokeswoman, said this afternoon.
Dopps was in a 22-foot aluminum boat when it capsized near Hand Rock about 10 miles north of La Push and about a mile-and-a-half from shore.
The other person on the boat was rescued from the water and a dog named Rio swam ashore. Authorities did not knOW the name of the person who was rescued or Dopps’ home town.
A Port Angeles Coast Guard helicopter crew reported spotting a body from the air on Thursday. Rangers hiked into the area where the body had been said to have washed ashore, but a high tide prevented further search at that time.
The boat washed ashore on a remote and rocky section of shoreline near Norwegian Memorial in Olympic National Park. A lifejacket and other items were found nearby, but crews have not been able to locate Dopps’ body, Maynes said.
Eleven ground personnel are searching today between Shi Shi Beach and Rialto Beach. Seven rangers are assigned to remainalong the coastline through the weekend and will continue searching.
“Our deepest sympathies are with Mr. Dopps’ family and friends, and we hope that our continuing search efforts are successful,” said Rachel Spector, acting park superintendent.
A good Samaritan aboard a fishing vessel transports a person pulled from the water after a vessel capsized 500 yards off Hand Rock in La Push on Wednesday. A Coast Guard Station Quillayute River crew escorted the vessel after it became disabled en route to the station, where emergency medical personnel were waiting. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Quillayute River)
