On Friday, May 11 at about 4:52 p.m., a non-commercial fishing vessel took on water from an unexpected wave, resulting in the death of one of the three crew members.

Jay Radtke, a 58-year-old Sequim resident, was halibut fishing with two other males near Tatoosh Island when a wave struck their boat, causing it to capsize. The wave pushed the boat against the rocks and the boat quickly flooded.

Friday afternoon, Neah Bay Police dispatch had a call transferred to them regarding a capsized boat between Cape Flattery and Tatoosh Island. Coast Guard search and rescue had three individuals on their vessel in route to shore. Coast Guard advised Neah Bay dispatch one of the males they rescued was unresponsive.

Nearby vessels were able to rescue two of the fisherman, but Radtke was found unresponsive in the water. All three were rushed to the Coast Guard base nearby for medical attention. CPR was performed on Radtke as they went back to the Coast Guard Station in Neah Bay. Radtke was pronounced deceased by medical crews awaiting their arrival. Radtke’s next of kin was notified shortly after the incident.

Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and boating unit are investigating the boating accident.