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One dead, one rescued from disabled sailboat near San Juan Islands

One woman died and a 56-year-old man was rescued

A woman is dead and a 56-year-old man was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard from a disabled and grounded 31-foot sailboat near the San Juan Islands Monday night, Feb. 3.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was unconscious but alive when pulled from the water and later died from her injuries, according to a news release by the Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a mayday call via VHF radio from the captain of the sailboat around 7 p.m. Monday, stating his boat was disabled and drifting toward land. The Coast Guard reported snowy conditions and 25–30 mph winds with 4- to 6-foot seas at that time.

The Coast Guard launched a 45-foot response boat from Station Bellingham and a helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles to locate the vessel.

The sailboat ran aground as crews were attempting the rescue, and a rescue swimmer was able to reach the individuals after the sailboat mast collapsed.

After the man was hoisted aboard the rescue boat, the helicopter crew located the woman in the water, who was unconscious, and the boat crew brought her aboard, where a crew member began CPR.

The woman was flown to PeaceHealth St. Joeseph Medical Center in Bellingham, where she was later declared deceased.

The man was taken to Station Bellingham before being transferred to the hospital. A Coast Guard member was also injured during the rescue and taken to the hospital before being released later that night.

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