Operator and passenger had been on a five day canoe trip, camping at different islands in and around the Puget Sound.  Passengers stated that they left James Island at approximately 7:08 that morning, after arising at approximately 5:00.  Passenger stated she is a very good swimmer and rated their canoeing skills as moderate.  She stated they thought about not venturing across the strait due to rough water, stating that it was probably a 2 to 3' chop when they headed across Rosario Strait, enroute to Skyline Marina, where they had originally set out five days ago.

Passenger stated that they had started taking on water and eventually flipped to the right.  She stated that they were in the water for quite some time and began to tire.  Passenger and operator stayed together, kept talking, and were nearing Young Island, when the two became separated.  Passenger stated at the time she had go for shore as she was getting tired as well.  Passenger believes Operator was trying to right the boat so much over the past several minutes that he became more fatigued than her.  Both were wearing lifejackets.
Anacortes                     