On 5/5/2012 at approximately 2:00 pm the operator of a 16' open motorboat attempted to pull up anchor but found it was stuck on the bottom.  The operator then tied the anchor line to a stern "to increase pulling power".  The current quickly spun the boat around putting the stern into the current and the boat was swamped and sank in a matter of seconds.  The vessel sank in about 150 feet of water. 

The operator was not wearing a PFD but had one next to him.  He stated he did not have enough time to put it on.  His passenger was wearing a PFD but also had waders on.  The operator held onto the passenger until both were rescued by another vessel nearby.  There were no injuries and the boat was a complete loss, valued at $17,000 with another $1,500 lost in gear.
Anacortes                     