Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Kayaker in Hood Canal

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Kayaker in Hood Canal

The search for a 21-year-old man who went missing while kayaking in the Hood Canal near Hazel Point has been suspended by the Coast Guard. The man, who was not identified, was last seen wearing a black hoodie and no life jacket. He was kayaking with a friend when their kayak overturned at around 10 p.m. on Friday. The two attempted to swim ashore after the kayak capsized, but one of the men lost sight of his friend during the swim. The friend reached shore and called 911 to report the incident, leading to search efforts by the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Command Center was notified by Jefferson County about the overturned kayak and initiated a search on Friday night. Search crews, including an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Air Station Port Angeles, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Seattle, and the cutter Blue Shark, conducted 12 searches covering approximately 43 square miles. Despite the extensive search efforts, the active search and rescue operations have been suspended until new information becomes available.

In conclusion, the Coast Guard has halted the search for the missing kayaker in the Hood Canal. The man's identity has not been disclosed, but he was last seen without a life jacket. Despite the search efforts involving multiple units and covering a significant area, the search has been put on hold until further information is obtained.