SHINE — Two people were rescued from 1,000 feet offshore in Squamish Harbor after their 15-foot aluminum dinghy capsized, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office received a report about 4:20 p.m. Sunday of an overturned boat with two people clinging to the side, a press release from the agency stated.
The pair contacted the sheriff’s department and said their dinghy had overturned but was staying afloat. They said they were clinging to the side of the boat without their life jackets, which had been lost during the incident, the release stated.
While the U.S. Coast Guard and other rescue units were mobilizing, Jefferson County Sgt. Ryan Menday located a Bridgehaven resident, Kory Mills, who had a 20-foot fiberglass boat and was willing to assist, according to the release.
“The pair were able to rescue the subjects as well as give a ride to two additional family members who had commandeered their own vessel and were paddling towards their kin with only a 2×4 as an oar,” the sheriff’s office stated in the press release.
“Mills piloted his boat through the darkness until we were able to locate the subjects and get them safely aboard his vessel.”
The two people were transported to aid units for treatment for hypothermia, according to the release.
Attempts to retrieve the boat were unsuccessful.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.
