The guy without the pfd probably used up too much body heat trying to
stay afloat.
Even with a full fledged response within 4 minutes of the report, our
cold PACNW waters claimed another life. Always a sad and tragic event.
Wonder if he said, "I'm willing to bet my life I won't need a pfd
today!"?


Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District


Press Release Date: Jan 28, 2006
Contact: PA3 Jeff Pollinger
(206) 819-9157

MAN DIES AFTER SAILBOAT IS KNOCKED DOWN BY WIND GUST NEAR VASHON ISLAND

SEATTLE - A man died Saturday after he was ejected from a recreational
sailing vessel near Vashon Island after a wind gust pushed the boat on
its side about 12:20 p.m.

At 12:24 p.m., the Coast Guard was notified by the King County
Emergency Dispatch Center that three men and a woman were in the water
after being thrown from their sailboat. Two of the men and the woman
were able to climb back on board the vessel.

Coast Guard Station Seattle immediately diverted a 25-foot response
boat to search for the missing man at 12:25 p.m.

An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles
was also launched to assist with the search and rescue operation.

Additionally, the Tacoma Fire Department's rescue vessel provided
assistance.

At 12:52 p.m., a Vashon Fire Department boat transported one of the men
in the sailboat to an awaiting ambulance on shore. The man survived.

The third man was located in the water by the Coast Guard helicopter,
and a Des Moines Fire Department rescue boat was directed to the same
location. The man was recovered from the water and then transferred to
the Coast Guard helicopter waiting on the beach, which transported him
to the Harborview Hospital in Seattle.

The third man, who was not wearing a life jacket, was pronounced dead
at 3:02 p.m.



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The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service
within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and
security of America.