On 09/01/2012, at about 11:45 pm, the operator was anchored in Miller Bay near Jefferson Point in Puget Sound when he went to retie the anchor of his 1978, 25' Oday auxiliary sailboat (ENCHELEY) when a wake from another boat caused him to lose his balance and fall off his boat.  After falling from his boat Operator swam to the back of the boat and held on.  He reported thinking of swimming to shore but determined it was too far for the water temperature to allow him to make it.  He estimates he was in the water about 45 minutes before a witness drove out to his boat and brought him to shore. 

Operator was in a hypothermic state when he was pulled from the water and his left leg was badly bruised.  Medics transported him to Harrison Hospital in Bremerton for treatment. 
  
Operator was not wearing a PFD.  Law enforcement reported according to witnesses, alcohol use contributed to the accident.  Operator was not tested for alcohol so impairment is unknown.  No vessel damage was reported.

Indianola                     