On 07/08/2013 at about 12:57 p.m. a 1988 19' Sunbird cabin motorboat operated and owned by individual was stopped and turned off after doing some tubing/skiing on South Lake Whatcom in the Basin 3 area. The tube was pulled in next to the boat. There was no one operating the vessel and it was drifting.  Under Washington state law "underway" means that a vessel is not at anchor, or made fast to the shore, or aground (RCW 79A.60.010(28). 

The vessel operator/owner and a passenger decided to go for a quick swim and voluntarily jumped from the boat. After swimming for a short time both subjects were swimming back to the boat when Victim began having trouble and yelled for help.  He was waving his arms in distress and Subject swam back to Victim, attempting to help him back to the boat, but Victim struggles started to pull Subject under the water with him.  Subject felt as though he was going to drown and he let go and swam back to the boat. Subject and others on board attempted to throw flotation devices to Victim who was sinking under the water. He did not surface again after going under. 

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office Marine Services Unit did search and rescue/recovery operations for several days after the incident. Victim was not recovered as of March 6, 2013 and is presumed drowned. 

One disappearance - Presumed drowned. 
No injuries. 
Alcohol was not indicated as a factor in this incident. 
There was no vessel damage reported. 
No one on board the vessel or swimming in the lake was wearing a PFD. 
It is unknown if anyone involved in the incident had a mandatory Boater Education Card. 
There were no Rules of the Road operating violations.
Bellingham                    