- 1 survivor rescued by civilian boat near sinking site
- 3 individuals remain missing in 56°F waters
- Multi-agency response involving 5 emergency units
- 20-foot cabin vessel sank 35 miles north of Seattle
- Search expanded across 12 square nautical mile area
Marine emergency responders initiated a large-scale search operation Wednesday afternoon after a recreational boat capsized in Puget Sound's Possession Sound. The incident marks the seventh maritime emergency in this busy shipping corridor this quarter, according to Washington State Marine Incident Reports.
New data from the National Safe Boating Council reveals that 85% of drowning victims in cold-water environments succumb within the first hour of immersion. This critical timeframe underscores the urgency of the ongoing search, now entering its third hour as of publication.
A regional case study from the 2019 Mukilteo ferry incident demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated rescue efforts in these waters. During that event, all 14 passengers were successfully recovered within 90 minutes due to real-time sonar deployment – technology currently being utilized in this operation.
Industry analysts note that 68% of Washington boaters underestimate tidal current risks in the Puget Sound region. The Coast Guard's 2023 Maritime Safety Report highlights that vessels under 25 feet account for 43% of all emergency responses, emphasizing the need for improved small-craft safety measures.
Local meteorologists report challenging search conditions with 15-knot northwest winds creating 3-foot swells. Thermal imaging equipment from the Fish and Wildlife Department continues scanning the area while dive teams prepare for possible underwater recovery operations.