Skagit County, Washington – Three People Rescued After Boat Capsizes Near Skagit River

 Skagit County, Washington (December 29, 2019) – Three duck hunters required rescue after their boat capsized in the mudflats near the Skagit River Entrance near Milltown on Sunday. Fortunately all three men were successfully taken from the water and were not reported to have sustained any serious injuries in the incident.

According to the information from KIRO7 News, the three hunters got stranded in the mudflats. A good Samaritan got one of the hunters to a nearby marina to call 911, and deputies from the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office responded. The Sheriff’s Office also requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, and a Coast Guard helicopter crew was deployed to aid in the rescue. The two remaining hunters were in knee-deep water and were attempting to reach the shore on foot, but were later successfully pulled up into the helicopter.

About Boat Accidents

Like any other vehicle, boats can be involved in dangerous accidents. According to data from the American Boating Association, in the year 2016 a total of 4463 recreational boating accidents were reported, with 701 deaths and 2903 injuries. Additionally, in 80% of accidents where the cause of death was known, the victims of fatal boats accidents drowned, with 83% of drowning victims not wearing a life jacket. Additionally, in 171 known accidents, at least one person was struck by a propeller, resulting in 24 deaths and 175 injuries. As for the type of vessel used in these accidents, the highest percentage of deaths was associated with open motorboats at 47%, followed by kayaks at 13% and canoes with 9%. As for the cause of the accidents, alcohol is know to be the leading known contributing factor to fatal boat accidents. Other cause of accidents included operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure.

Preventing boating accidents comes down to ensuring boat safety regulations are followed. Like with any other vehicle, the vessel itself must be checked to make sure it is safe to use. Proper knowledge of the area where one will be boating is also encouraged. It is also important to make sure that all people on the boat have access to safety devices such as life jackets. Preventing accidents ensures not only our safety, but the safety of others.

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