From Sheriff Rob Nou
On Friday, May 18, 2012 about 2:30 p.m. a boating accident resulted in a single fatality in the Salish Sea southwest of Sucia Island in San Juan County waters. Three Bellingham men in a 17 foot Boston Whaler were thrown into the water when their boat capsized while trying to pull a shrimp pot that was stuck on the bottom.
All three were wearing inflatable flotation devices; however, the deceased man was unable to get the device inflated. All three were pulled out of the water by nearby boaters, with one man unconscious. Initial reports indicated that CPR was in progress prompting emergency responders from Washington State Parks and Recreation, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, San Juan Island EMS and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
Despite exhaustive efforts to resuscitate the victim, he could not be revived and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Identities of the men are being withheld pending notification of the victim’s family. The deceased was turned over to the San Juan County Coroner. The vessel was righted and towed to Friday Harbor.
UPDATE:
The deceased victim in the boating accident off Sucia Island on Friday, May 18 has been identified as James R ABLEMAN, 72 of Bellingham.
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