EVERETT—Two bodies, a male in his 60’s, and his female co-worker, in her 40’s, were recovered from a boating accident in Possession Sound over the weekend. The male’s son, 20’s, was also reported missing, but his body has yet to be recovered.
The 26-foot shrimping boat was reported to begin taking on water during a recreational outing Saturday, May 21, about 200-feet off the shore of Howarth Park in Everett. What specifically caused the accident is currently unknown. The lone survivor of the incident, another male in his 50’s, was rescued by another boater that day.
Everett Police located the boat on Sunday, May 22. At that time the Everett Police’s Marine Unit began to arrange the recovery of the vessel – which had sunk to a depth of approximately 165 feet and was located upside down, the Everett PD said.
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was used to check the interior of the boat, locating two bodies but was unable to locate the 20-year-old. The boat was then lifted and towed to more shallow waters to conduct a more thorough search by the Everett Police Dive Team. Still, the third missing person was not located.
“While we continue to hope for the recovery of the third, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all involved for their commitment to this challenging mission,” said Chief John DeRousse with the Everett PD.
The two recovered bodies were turned over to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Recovery efforts were conducted by the Everett Police, in collaboration with the Seattle Police Harbor Unit, Pierce County Marine Operations (which provided the ROV used to recover the bodies), Everett Fire, the U.S. Coast Guard, and nonprofit Innerspace Exploration Team, which was referred to the Everett PD via the Seattle Police Harbor Unit.
“Innerspace Exploration Team was established in 1984 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation comprised of professionals from around the northwest. Together we work to improve the marine environment by removing derelict gear from our waters, educating the next generation, and assisting families in need who have lost a loved one to drowning,” its website states.
Crayton Fenn, team leader at Innerspace Exploration Team, was essential in the recovery efforts, Natalie Given, Public Information Officer for the Everett PD, told the Lynnwood Times.
Fenn is a seasoned diver of over 45 years and has completed a variety of projects for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nortwest Straits Commission, University of Washington’s Applie Physics Lab, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Uruguayan Navy, the U.S. Navy Supervisor Salvage, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, U.S. Air Force, as well as state and local law enforcement.
“We are grateful for the unwavering dedication and collaboration demonstrated by the Everett Police Marine Unit, Seattle Police Harbor Patrol, Pierce County Marine Operations, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and the Innerspace Exploration Team,” said Chief DeRousse. “The collective efforts of these organizations have brought a measure of solace to the grieving family by recovering two of the three missing individuals from the tragic incident in Possession Sound.”
Author: Kienan Briscoe
