San Juan Islands Maritime Info

04/04/2025

03/27/2025

02/07/2025

***Winter Weather Boating Safety Tips***

Your friends at the SJCSO would like to share some boating safety tips for our community members while boating in winter weather in hopes that everyone is safe while boating and nobody has an emergency while at sea.

Know the weather
• Be aware of cold-water temperatures, which can cause hypothermia
• Be aware of tides, which can change currents and make access to beaches and docks, especially on outer islands
• Be aware of high wind advisories, especially if you’re out while it’s snowing. Snow already makes visibility low and high wind advisories or high gusts make for safety hazards
• Don’t underestimate the weather. During winter weather events, the conditions can change rapidly

Prepare for emergencies
• Have a float plan
• Know what to do in an emergency
• Bring a sounding device, like a whistle, horn, or bell
• Bring a white navigation light for low visibility
• Bring a nighttime visual distress signal, like flares
• Bring a cabin heater to stay warm

Know Your and your boats capabilities
• Be aware of your capabilities operating your boat and the capabilities of passengers on you boat
• Know your boats capabilities, especially when heading out in inclement winter weather.
• Make sure you have all your proper safety equipment, know where it’s stored, and how to access it quickly in case of an emergency
• Ensure everything on your boat is operating properly before heading out in inclement winter weather.

Staying Alert to Weather Changes Can Keep You From Becoming a Boating Statistic

02/07/2025

SEATTLE – The Coast Guard rescued two boaters from a disabled and grounded 31-foot sailboat near the San Juan Islands, Wash., Monday night.Rescue crews rescued a 56-year-old man and recovered a woman

02/05/2025

Boating Accident- Ewing Island- NE side of Sucia Island- 2/3/25
By now many may have seen the below post on What’s up Friday Harbor. The Sheriff’s Office was already working on gathering information for a notice to our community, however, unfortunately, the US Coast Guard did not notify the SJCSO of this incident at the time it was actively occurring in our jurisdiction. We did not get any notification until an hour after the people involved arrived at St. Joes’, when a nurse at St. Joe’s called us for information on the two people involved.

On 2/4/25, the Orcas Sergeant spent significant time contacting officials at St. Joe’s, US Coast Guard, and spoke with the male who survived. The following is a summary of the incident we received from the SU Coast Guard.

“They USCG) received a report of a vessel in distress in the area of Lummi Bay. They launched their small boat. They were unable to locate the vessel and lost communication with them. They launched a helicopter out of Coast Guard Station Port Angeles. The vessel was located. It ran aground on Ewing Island (NE side of Sucia) (lat/long: 48 45.96 N - 122 53.2W). The vessel began taking on water and sinking. A male and female went into the water. The male was rescued and taken aboard the Coast Guard small boat. The female was found floating face down in the water and unresponsive. She was taken aboard the helicopter, USCG personnel conducted CPR/life saving measures) and flown to St. Joseph Hospital. Unfortunately, she was pronounced deceased at St. Joseph's Hospital at 2242 hours (on 02/03/2025). The Coast Guard small boat had run aground and lost an engine. It was making its way back to Coast Guard Station Bellingham with the survivor on board. The boat was a 31' sailboat. They had no further information on the boat or victims.”

The Sergeant spoke with the male involved, offered condolences on behalf of the SJCSO, and was able to gather some information from him on what occurred. It was learned that both the male and female are Canadian citizens and were on board their 31' sailboat near the north end of Lummi Island. They underestimated the sea conditions. They effect of wind, waves and current caused their vessel to lose steerage. Their small auxiliary motor could not overcome these forces, and the boat would not answer the helm. They were left to the mercy of the storm. Their onboard anemometer showed a wind speed of 35 knots.

This is a very sad incident and the sincerest of condolences from the SJCSO go out to the victims and their families.

06/26/2024

05/20/2024

Today is the first Monday of National Safe Boating Week!

Throughout the week, leading up to Memorial Day, we will be sharing helpful tips and information to help keep you safe for the 2024 Boating Season!

Learn more at https://safeboatingcampaign.com/

Safe Boating Campaign

05/11/2024