On 09/04/2012, 3 men, (operator/victim) and two others left the Tokeland Marina for an afternoon of fishing on the Pacific Ocean.  The boat they were aboard was a 17'9" 2012 Lund, model 1775 "Impact" open motorboat with a 115 HP outboard motor.  At about 6:00 p.m. the men were returning to Willapa Bay.  According to Occupant1, their approach into the entrance of Willapa Bay was further south than when they departed from the bay at the start of their trip.  Occupant2 and Occupant1 described the ocean conditions as rough with waves 6-8 feet and breaking.  The waves were passing the boat when a wave came in from the side picking up the port stern rolling the boat.  Both passengers, Occupant2 and Occupant1 were thrown from the boat while operator/victim was trapped under the boat for a short period of time.  The boat remained upside down from this period until it was recovered the following day.  All safety equipment such as flares and PFDs were either trapped under the boat or had floated away. 

Visibility at the time of the incident was poor due to a heavy ocean fog.  The three men remained with the boat through the night.  Both passengers, Occupant2 and Occupant1, stated that the operator/victim, passed away from exposure shortly before daylight.  Just before daylight Occupant2 and Occupant1 realized they were in shallow waters and walked on an exposed sand spit at which time they were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. 

WA Department of Fish & Wildlife Lieutenant  was at the scene at the time of the boat recovery and noticed keel marks in the sand.  Damage done to the boat indicates windshield impact with sand.  From statements it appears the operator/victim missed the channel and got caught in the shallow waters during the tidal exchange which flipped the boat.  The boat was rated for 1,550 lbs.  Lt.  also noted that the combined weight of the operator (320 lbs.), two passengers (260 lbs., 180 lbs), gear, fuel and motor was 1,371 lbs and that given the height of the waves and white capped waves during an ebb tide, the boat could easily have taken a wave over the transom, resulting in a capsizing as it was crossing the bar.  According to passenger Occupant1, the waves were passing the boat as it headed into the bay.  This combination was probably the major contributing factors to the boat's capsizing in the rough water. 

Alcohol use was not identified as a factor.  The operator/victim had consumed one beer.  He was later tested for alcohol with negative results. 

Boat damages were estimated at $5000.00.   

There were PFDs available on board.  No one on board was wearing a PFD at the time of the accident. 

It is unknown if the Operator/Victim had formal operator instruction.  He was exempt from the mandatory Boater Education Card requirement. 

No Rules of the Road Violation.

Tokeland                      