Vessel – 14’ Homemade Pontoon aluminum boat, 8hp outboard gas engine, propeller 

On 09/25/2023, at about 2:37 p.m., this vessel was operated with passenger aboard were scuba diving on Lake Sawyer, nearest the town of Black Diamond, WA in King County.

According to Law Enforcement, they took a boat out in an attempt to locate an anchor that was lost at the lake bottom. Upon reaching the area of the lake that the anchor was lost, Subject1 entered the water in his scuba gear in an attempt to find it. After several minutes, Subject1 was having problems with his scuba tank and resurfaced. 

Once at the boat, Subject1 removed his scuba tank and placed it on the boat. Subject1 let go of the boat and due to wearing a weight belt, sunk to the bottom. Subject2 dove into the water in an attempt to rescue Subject1 and with the assistance of a subject on shore, removed him from the water. Once on shore, CPR was administered. Fire arrived and continued with CPR. Subject1 was pronounced deceased at 1521 hours. 

1 Fatality
Alcohol Involvement: No
PFD’s: No
Vessel Operator Mandatory Boater Education Card: Yes

Lake Sawyer
Black Diamond                 