COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO CAPSIZED VESSEL
SEATTLE - The Coast Guard responded to a report of a 16-foot aluminum
vessel capsized in the vicinity of Clatsop Spit near Hammond, Ore.,
today.

The reporting source saw the pleasure craft capsized with no persons
visible in the area around 10:45 a.m.

Coast Guard Group Astoria launched an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew to
respond to the vessel. Station Cape Disappointment launched a response
boat crew to assist, along with a motor lifeboat crew that was
diverted from training.

A Good Samaritan reported that a body had washed ashore near buoy 20
in Clatsop Spit. Clatsop County Sheriff's Department confirmed that
the individual washed ashore was deceased and not wearing a
lifejacket.

The Clatsop County Sheriff's Department is contacting the family of
the deceased to determine how many persons were onboard the vessel.

While righting the vessel to determine if anyone was inside, and to
gather identification markings, the motor lifeboat crew discovered a
second deceased person.

Weather conditions on scene were four knot winds and 10 mile
visibility.

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