Video: Sailboat Runs Aground In Violent Seas, 1 Rescued & Another Dead

A U.S. Coast Guard rescue mission turned tragic after two boaters were pulled from a grounded sailboat in the San Juan Islands, Washington.

Despite battling harsh weather conditions, including heavy snow, strong winds, and freezing temperatures, the rescue crews managed to save a 56-year-old man. A woman who was recovered from the water did not survive.

The captain of the 31-foot sailboat sent a distress call to the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound at around 7 p.m. on Monday (February 3, 2025) night. He reported that his vessel had lost power and was drifting uncontrollably toward the shore.

The Coast Guard’s search and rescue (SAR) command centre immediately launched response teams, including a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Bellingham and an MH-65E Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles.

Rescue teams arrived to find extremely challenging conditions including snowfall, 25-30 mph winds, and four to six-foot waves made the operation even more dangerous.

The boat’s sails were still up, and its mast was swinging violently due to the rough seas, complicating rescue efforts.

As the helicopter crew planned the safest way to hoist the stranded boaters, the sailboat ran aground on a rocky shoreline. This caused the mast to collapse, removing one hazard but also worsening the situation for those onboard.

The aircrew then deployed a rescue swimmer to assist. The skipper was successfully transferred to the Coast Guard rescue boat, but the woman was thrown overboard when the vessel hit the rocks.

The helicopter crew quickly located her in the frigid water and guided the boat crew to her position. She was responsive when pulled from the sea, and CPR was immediately initiated.

The woman was hoisted from the response boat into the helicopter for urgent medical evacuation to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. Despite continuous resuscitation efforts, she was later declared dead at the hospital.

The skipper was also transported to the same medical facility for evaluation.

During the mission, a Coast Guard member sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment before being released later that night.

The commanding officer of the operation talked about the difficulties faced by the rescue teams, stating that the weather in Washington was colder than usual, making the mission even more complex.

The crews had to work under severe weather conditions, battling snow, freezing temperatures, and turbulent seas to carry out the rescue.

Reference: USCG

Source: Maritime Shipping News