SEATTLE — A Coast Guard helicopter crew transferred two men to Neah Bay after they were injured in an apparent collision between their disabled recreational boat and a responding Coast Guard vessel 30 miles west of La Push, Thursday.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles safely transported them to emergency medical personnel in Neah Bay and a Washington State Fish and Wildlife boatcrew took the remaining five boaters aboard and towed the disabled recreational vessel to La Push.
Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound watchstanders received a call over VHF-FM channel 16 from the master of the Nauti Cat reporting their vessel was disabled due to a dead battery and requesting assistance for the seven-person crew aboard the vessel participating in a recreational halibut derby. The watchstanders dispatched a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River to respond. While taking the vessel in tow it was reported that a collision occurred between the response boat and the Nauti Cat.
Two of the passengers sustained non-life threatening injuries and the hull of the Nauti Cat was cracked above the waterline.
The Dolphin helicopter crew was diverted to provide medical transport for the two men to more advanced medical care.
Weather at the time of the incident was reported as overcast skies, with 10 mph winds and 2 -foot seas. The Coast Guard is investigating the incident.