On June 14 at about 4:47 p.m., Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Olson’s Resort in Sekiu regarding an overdue fisherman who had been staying at Olson’s Resort and had launched his boat from the resort.

The overdue person was identified as 70-year-old Olympia, WA resident Charles L. Swanson.

Interviews conducted by Deputies at the resort concluded that Mr. Swanson’s 18-foot boat was last seen midday on June 13, anchored in the Strait of Juan de Fuca between the mouth of the Hoko Ozette River and Sekiu Point in an area commonly known as “the caves”. Ocean conditions were reported to have been very rough and choppy at the time. Mr. Swanson was believed to have “Larry”, his one and a half-year-old Golden Retriever, on his boat.

The United States Coast Guard launched a search for Swanson and his boat with the use of Coast Guard boats and a helicopter. The Canadian Coast Guard also launched a helicopter to aid in the search. The search continued from about 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14 until approximately 9 a.m., on Sunday, June 16 when the search was suspended. The United States Coast Guard was unable to find any sign of the missing fisherman or his boat.

On June 17 at about 12:47 p.m., Deputies were dispatched to the report of a body floating in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, near milepost 4 along Highway 112, Neah Bay. Deputies arrived a short time later and located a body floating in the water along the rocky shoreline. The body was later recovered with the use of jet skis and boats operated by members of the Neah Bay Fire Department and United States Coast Guard, Station Neah Bay.

The body is presumed to be that of Charles L. Swanson; however, the identity of the deceased has not yet been positively determined. The Clallam County Coroner’s office will be working with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office in an effort to determine the cause of death and confirm the identity of the deceased.

CASE No: 2019-12471