Operator along with four other passengers went out on the Puget Sound on his 18 ft aluminum open motor boat to go shrimping.  When they got to their destination off of Camano Head, his son began dropping the first shrimp pot.  the weather was heavy and there 3'-4' rollers coming in in groups of two's and three's.  Keeping the boat steady with these conditions required a lot of attention.  The boat got turned sideways and The son said that a large wave came into the boat, followed quickly by a second wave.  More waves flooded the boat and swamped it, then it overturned in the water.  The son said no one was wearing lifejackets, there was no alcohol or drugs being used.  

Several boats that were in the area responded to the mayday call that was put out by Operator.  Operator and three passengers were recovered from the water.  When Operator was pulled into one of the boats assisting he was speaking weakly, then went limp and was unresponsive.  People on the boat performed CPR on Operator until they were able to get to the Tulalip Marina.  Operator later died.

The fifth passenger on the boat was a 13 year old boy who was trapped under Operator's overturned boat.  A USCG diver was able to retrieve him and CPR was performed on him while being transported to Harborview Medical Center by helicopter.  By the time he reached the hospital medics were able to get his heart beat back and he was on a ventilator.  He died early the next morning.

Boats in the area were able to recover some life jackets and gear floating off of Operator's boat.  The boat was later recovered and towed to Langley Marina.

Langley                       