RedactedNarrative: Vessel - 1969, 14' Elgin Open Motorboat w/50 hp Mercury Outboard Engine  
  
  On 08/08/2015, at about 11:45 a.m., this vessel, operated by Operator, was cruising on Crescent Harbor, about 2 Miles East of Seaplane Base Boat Launch, located near Oak Harbor, WA in Island county. 
  
  According to Operator, she and her passenger launched this vessel from the Sea Plane Boat Launch at about 11:00 a.m.  The weather was relatively calm during the launch.  About 45 minutes into their crab pot setting journey, the weather took a turn for the worse.  Wind and waves had picked up significantly causing concern to both she and Occupant.  As they slowed to set the third of four crab pots, a large wave came in from the stern which started the capsizing process. 
  
  According to Operator, Occupant ran to the bow of the vessel to get a container to attempt to bail out the incoming water.  Within moments, the vessel was taking on more waves over the stern which eventually killed the outboard motor.  Less than a minute later, the vessel was capsizing, stern first. 
  
  Operator tried to get Occupant to swim with her.  She described him as being in sheer panic, trying very hard just to keep his head above water.  They were pushed apart by the wave, current, and wind actions.  Operator lost all visual and verbal communication with Occupant within a couple of minutes.  Operator was able to swim to shore.  She found a beach goer with a cell phone to call for help. 
  
  During a comprehensive search of the area, neither the vessel or Occupant were located. 
  
  As of 08/24/2015, the victim's body has not been recovered.  LE has consulted with the Coroner's Office.  They are in agreement that Occupant should and is being considered deceased (drown).  A memo has been forwarded to Occupant's Naval Command explaining the circumstances and evidence that has led to this conclusion. 
  
  It should be noted that Operator claims that she had 2 PFDs on board the vessel.  Neither of them have ever been recovered despite recovering multiple other floating items from the vessel.  It is LE's opinion that there were no PFDs on board. 
  
  0 Injuries / 1 Fatality 
  There was no apparent alcohol involved 
  Vessel damage reported at $1,650 - Total Loss 
  Neither the Operator or Victim was wearing a PFD 
  The Operator did not have a mandatory Boater Education Card
   