WDFW statement Oct. 14, 2024
At approximately 8:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, a commercial gillnet vessel carrying two people began sinking in Willapa Bay west of Tokeland. A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) employee was on board the vessel as an agency observer. The WDFW employee and vessel captain were rescued by a nearby gillnet vessel.
No injuries were reported. The U.S. Coast Guard, Pacific County, and WDFW Police were notified. The cause and exact location of the sinking are unknown at this time.
WDFW’s onboard observer monitoring program fulfills agency commitments made during the 2024 North of Falcon/Pacific Fisheries Management Council proceedings. Observers work closely with boat captains and other WDFW staff. They also work closely with commercial fishing vessel crews while on board gillnet fishing vessels. Observers conduct a variety of onboard monitoring and data recording/entry.
Media contact: communications@dfw.wa.gov