RedactedNarrative: Vessel – 2016, 21’ Duckworth Navigator 20 Aluminum Open Motorboat w/2 Yamaha Outboard Gas Engines – Total HP 250
  
  On 05/02/2019, at about 04:45 a.m., this vessel was cruising on the Strait of Juan de Fuca about 1.2 N of Deception Pass, located near Anacortes, WA in Skagit County.
  
  According to the Operator, on this date, he and Victim were heading out to fish on this opening day of halibut fishing.  The vessel got swamped with a rogue wave on otherwise 4’ – 6’ seas.  The wave hit while the boat was bow down in a trough coming off a 4’ swell.  The wave was larger than the boat’s running lights could illuminate, 10’ – 12’.
  
  The wave hit the boat head-on breaking out all 3 windshields, tearing off the canopy and swamping the boat.  The boat tipped starboard 30°, the stern went down, then vertical under water in less than 60 seconds.  Called mayday, got PFDs on and hit the water.   
  
  Law Enforcement reported that on this date at about 12:57 p.m., they were advised of a marine rescue just off the western side of Whidbey Island, near Joseph Whidbey State Park.  There was a man in the water who was hypothermic.  Officers, along with medical/fire personnel, arrived at the area of West Beach (Sunset Beach North) near Joseph Whidbey State Park.  Within minutes, a small fishing vessel with Good Samaritans brought their vessel within 10 feet of shore with the patient (Operator) on board.  
  
  Deputies and Medics retrieved Operator and placed him on a stretcher which was then placed into an ambulance.  Operator was foaming out of the mouth and appeared to be in a life-threatening state.  He was taken to Fort Nugent where a Life Flight helicopter was going to fly him to Harbor View.  One Deputy went with Operator to Fort Nugent and one Deputy remained at the beach pullout while the US Coast Guard and other rescue teams continued their search.
  
  At 02:56 p.m., the US Coast Guard discovered the body of a male at the coordinates N122.21.926 W46.46.1123.  The body was recovered by a Jefferson County boat.  Per JeffCo, the subject was deceased in the water.  Jefferson County’s boat brought the body to the Cornet Bay boat launch.  The male was identified.  The Island County Coroner arrived at 04:04 p.m. and took custody of Victim’s remains.  The Coroner did notification to the decedent’s family.
  
  While at the Cornet Bay boat launch awaiting the Coroner, multiple individuals returned to the dock and had information regarding Operator and Victim:
  
  Two employees/friends of operator went to put in their boat and head out, but turned back because the seas had 7-8 foot swells.  Operator and Victim reportedly continued out in a 22’ aluminum white/gray Duckworth vessel.  
  
  Two others said when they went out around 06:15 a.m., the waters were extremely rough.  They stated that around 07:30 a.m., they saw a white/blue cooler and a black cushion floating in the water while en-route to Partridge Point. 
  
  Officers found a 2019 white F150, with a trailer attached, at the Cornet Bay boat launch.  One of the Deputies received a phone call from a friend of Operator.  He stated that he just transferred the title of the boat to Operator about a week ago.  He provided a photo of the boat.
  
  1 Injury / 1 Fatality 
  No Apparent Alcohol or Drug Involvement  
  The Vessel was a Total Loss with an Estimated Value of $40,000
  Neither the Operator nor Occupant was Wearing a PFD
  Operator Did Have a Mandatory Boater Education Card
  
  NOTE:  According to Law Enforcement, the Owner/Operator stated that his passenger, Victim, was wearing a PFD at the time of capsizing however, Victim was not wearing a PFD when recovered.  Operator stated that he removed the PFD from Victim after he died.  Only one PFD was recovered, which was being worn by Operator.
  