On 5/18/2012 at about 2:15 pm on the Salish Sea in San Juan County, three men were shrimping near Sucia Island when they attempted to pull up a stuck shrimp pot for another boat near them.  The shrimp pot was stuck on the bottom and they could not get it to dislodge using a "puller" (winch) on boat.  They then tied the line from the shrimp pot to starboard cleat on the transom to try and pull the pot free by accelerating with the 100 HP primary motor.  The shrimp pot remained stuck and the starboard aft area of the boat went underwater and boat capsized throwing all three passengers into the water.  At the time there was also a strong tidal current running.
 
All three persons were wearing inflatable Type 5 life jackets, but the deceased, aged 72 could not activate the pull cord on the jacket to inflate it.  All three were rescued quickly by nearby boat operators and CPR was given to the victim for about 1 hour without success.   It was believed that the 52 degree water was a shock to him and in the confusion he could not located the pull cord and he died from drowning or hypothermia.

Friday Harbor                 