Office of Public Affairs
13th Coast Guard District

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News Release

Date: September 13, 2009

Contact:  Du Pont Police Dept.
Sgt. Ross Mathison
(253) 798-4721

Petty Officer Colin White
(206) 819-9157
 

Coast Guard suspends search for missing swimmer near Du Pont, Wash.

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing swimmer near Du Pont, Wash., Sunday.

The search was suspended at approximately 1:30 a.m. after two Coast Guard rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station Seattle and a rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., assisted local agencies search an area of approximately 11 square miles for nearly three hours.

The search began after two men became separated from a third man approximately 100 yards from shore. The two men made it back to shore and contacted Du Pont 911 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Saturday.

Coast Guard Sector Seattle received a request from the Anderson Island, Wash., Fire Department at approximately 10:00 p.m. for assistance in the search.

Station Seattle diverted a rescue boat crew in the area and launched an additional rescue boat crew to assist with the search.  Group/Air Station Port Angeles launched a rescue helicopter crew and assisted a Lakewood, Wash., fire boat, an Anderson Island fire boat, a Du Pont Fire Department shore-side search team and the Pierce County, Wash., Sheriff's Dive Team.

The Du Pont Fire Department and the Du Pont Police Department will assist the Pierce County Sheriff's Office with the investigation.

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