University Place, Wash. – At approximately 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, West Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to reports of an overturned boat in Puget Sound. 911 callers told dispatchers there were two people clinging to the boat. It was unknown whether they were wearing life jackets.
West Pierce responded and launched the Endeavor fire boat and started searching for the occupants of the overturned boat. They were assisted by Pierce County Sherriff’s Department, Anderson Island Fire & Rescue, Tacoma Fire Department, and Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One.
As crews and multiple boats started searching, the Coast Guard’s helicopter was requested. Within minutes of being in the area, the Coast Guard was able to find the boat, confirm there were two people in the water, and point Pierce County’s boat, the Mundell, to their location. The Mundell brought the patients on board, along with a firefighter from the Endeavor, and met West Pierce paramedics at the Steilacoom Dock. Both were transported to the hospital for evaluation but are in stable condition.
Thanks to a multitude of resources working together, this outcome was positive when it could have ended very differently.