U.S. Coast Guard searching for missing boater who failed to arrive in Blaine
UPDATE: The Coast Guard announced Tuesday evening it has suspended the search.
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching waters off Whatcom and Skagit counties for man reported missing between La Conner and Blaine, according to a press release from the 13th District Pacific Northwest.
Missing is 39-year-old Michael Smith, according to the release, who was last seen wearing black shorts and a blue sweatshirt an in an 18-foot teal and white skiff. Smith was supposed to arrive in Blaine by sunset Monday.
Smith reportedly left La Conner at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound were notified by a family member at 1:30 a.m. by the Swinomish Tribal Police Department that Smith was overdue, according to the release, and an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued.
Multiple Coast Guard crews, including searchers from Coast Guard Station Bellingham, Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion and the Swinomish Tribal Police Department, were launched to look for Smith, the release stated.
Anyone with information about Smith’s whereabouts are asked to call the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound at 206-217-6001.
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 3:21 PM.
