Three people and a dog rescued from a sinking boat just west of Whatcom County
Three people and a dog were rescued from a sinking boat Tuesday afternoon in waters just west of Whatcom County.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a report at approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, that a 57-foot boat was taking on water after striking rocks entering Echo Bay on Sucia Island, according to a Coast Guard news release Wednesday, Oct. 5.
A 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham was sent to assist those aboard, the release states.
While they were in route, multiple good Samaritans kept an eye on the damaged vessel and provided equipment to assist those on board reduce the rate the boat was taking on water, according to the release. A Canadian Coast Guard helicopter also arrived to monitor the boat.
Once U.S. Coast Guard crews arrived, they used a dewatering pump to remove water from the boat and started the approximately five-hour tow back to Bellingham Bay, the release states. The Coast Guard crew towed the boat to Hale Passage, where a BoatUS crew took over and completed the tow.
The boat is now moored in Bellingham, according to the release.
