Vessel – 1990, 15’ Sylvan Open Motorboat, Mercury gas powered motor, 25 hp
Operator/Owner – 
Fatality – 

On 01/29/2023, at about 12:00 p.m., this vessel was operated by Operator with passenger Deceased, North of the Lewis River, river mile 13, nearest to the city of Woodland, WA in Clark County.

According to Law Enforcement, the vessel operator, and passenger, were fishing and drifting down the Lewis River, facing upriver, near river mile 13 of the north fork of the river, the transom struck a submerged metal pipe in the river causing the vessel to swamp and capsize. The passenger, and operator went overboard and were swept down river. He was pulled from the water by another boat moments later. Passenger went missing for 24 hours and was later recovered, deceased, by the Sheriff’s Office about ½ mile downstream. Neither were wearing PFD’s. 

Operator/Owner was given citations for violation of RCW 79A.60.640.5 and WAC 352.60.070.


0 Injury / 1 Fatalities
Alcohol Involvement: No apparent Drug/Alcohol involvement
PFD: Operator and passenger were not wearing a PFD
Vessel Operator Mandatory Boater Education Card: No
Lewis River
Woodland                      