NORDLAND — The search for 80-year-old Walter Buhr Jr. of Port Ludlow was suspended Wednesday afternoon, 24 hours after his 18-foot boat was found running in circles in Admiralty Inlet southeast of Marrowstone Island.
A Coast Guard spokesman said the search was called off when the chance of Buhr’s survival became minimal.
Wednesday was Buhr’s 80th birthday, his wife, Joan, said in a telephone interview.
“He did love the water so,” Mrs. Buhr said. “He was doing what he loved to do.”
Coast Guard officials said Mr. Buhr, who had considerable experience on the water, apparently fell out of his boat.
The search began about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday after Marrowstone Island resident Dale Garbo reported seeing the empty boat turning in circles with its motor still running.
Mrs. Buhr also notified the Coast Guard when her husband didn’t return home as scheduled.
Mr. Buhr had provided a plan of his day’s activities, which Coast Guard officials said provided assistance in the search.
