Vessel – 9’ one person Kayak, Future Beach, no motor

On 06/30/2023, at about 04:00 p.m., this vessel was paddling on Yale Lake in the main channel of Beaver Bay, nearest the town of Cougar, WA in Clark County.

According to Law Enforcement, they boarded his single person kayak and attempted to paddle back to Beaver Bay Campground from an island in Yale Lake about 700 feet away. About 300 feet into the voyage, the kayak began to take on water due to the severely choppy surface conditions on the lake caused by a constant westerly wind greater that 12 mph. 

Due to the single occupant kayak being overloaded and taking on water, it capsized resulting in both occupants entering the water. 

Subject1 was wearing a USCG approved PFD, Subject2 was not wearing any PFD. Subject1 is a non-swimmer and Subject2’s swimming skills are limited. Subject1 removed his PFD and gave it to Subject2, who could only hold onto it and not put it on. Subject1 then began to struggle in the water and at some point, disappeared from Subject2’s sight as she was struggling and panicking as well. Subject2 was later pulled from the water by a passing boater who did not see Subject1 at the time. SAR efforts were started and Subject1 was located, 4 days later in 18 feet of water near where the capsizing took place.

0 Injury / 1 Fatality
Alcohol Involvement: No
PFD: No/Yes
Vessel Operator Mandatory Boater Education Card: No

Yale Lake
Cougar                        