Search Underway for Captain Following Sinking of Fishing Boat Near Grays Harbor

On Friday, a fishing boat capsized off Washington’s coast, leaving its captain unaccounted for.

At around 8:15 AM, the Captain Raleigh was navigating when it began to take on water. The skipper sent out a distress signal, indicating that the vessel’s pumps were overwhelmed by the influx of water.

The Coast Guard Sector columbia River quickly responded to the emergency call and alerted nearby vessels for help. They also dispatched rescue teams from Grays Harbor and a helicopter crew from Astoria, Oregon.

A good Samaritan reached out to assist shortly after the distress call. By 8:30 AM—just 15 minutes later—a Coast Guard boat arrived at the scene. Unluckily, within moments of their arrival, Captain Raleigh sank swiftly.Three crew members had already donned their life jackets and jumped overboard; they were promptly rescued by Coast Guard personnel. Though, reports indicate that the captain remained aboard as the vessel went under.

The search for the missing captain involved two boat crews and an aircrew conducting surface searches. A nearby dredger from the corps of Engineers joined in with sonar equipment to locate where Captain Raleigh had sunk.

The U.S. Navy was called in to assist with a helicopter carrying a salvage dive team from Air Station Whidbey Island; however, diving conditions proved challenging due to debris and strong currents until later in the evening when visibility remained poor.

the search was officially suspended at 8:40 PM on Friday night.

“This is heartbreaking news for our fishing community,” stated Capt. Justin Noggle of Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. “I’m grateful our teams managed to rescue three crew members so quickly; our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event.”

A salvage operation is being organized by commercial salvors who have arrived at the site where no importent pollution has been reported—the wreck lies in about 40 feet of water outside Grays Harbor’s navigation channel.

The fishing industry has identified Jon Stevenson, age 44 and well-known within Newport’s fishing community as Captain Raleigh’s master. In response to this tragedy, Newport Fishermen’s Wives has initiated a fundraiser aimed at supporting Stevenson’s family during this tough time.