||| FROM KIRO-TV |||
According to the United States Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, the Washington state ferry Samish crew helped the Coast Guard rescue six people and two dogs from their sinking boat on Saturday in high winds and waves.
According to an account of the rescue on the USCG’s social media, the 37-foot cabin cruiser called for help on Saturday afternoon when it encountered rough seas in Rosario Strait.
Waves had broken the boat’s windshield and started taking on water. The people on board were able to transmit their location before their radio shorted out.
“It was pretty nasty out there,” Coast Guard Petty Officer First-Class Travis Magee said. “The vessel had a VHF radio on board, which they were able to contact the Coast Guard with. Shortly after notifying the Coast Guard of their GPS position, communications were lost. But thankfully, they were able to get a hold of us.”
Multiple Coast Guard Vessels and a helicopter from Port Angeles were dispatched to the area.
The Washington State Ferry Samish responded as well, launching a rescue boat that took four people off the vessel in distress.
The Samish also maneuvered the ferry to protect the boat and the rescue effort from the wind and waves.
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