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Photo Release

Date: February 12, 2012

Contact: 13th District Public Affairs

(206) 220-7237

Photo Release: Coast Guard, Quileute Tribal Nation honor victims of fatal lifeboat accident

SEATTLE - A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash., places a wreath at the mouth of the Quillayute River on Feb 12, 2012, honoring three Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives during a rescue attempt on Feb. 13, 1997. The three members were part of a four-man crew on a 44-foot motor lifeboat that capsized while responding to a distressed sailing vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan W. Bradshaw.

SEATTLE — A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash., places a wreath at the mouth of the Quillayute River on Feb 12, 2012, honoring three Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives during a rescue attempt on Feb. 13, 1997. The three members were part of a four-man crew on a 44-foot motor lifeboat that capsized while responding to a distressed sailing vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan W. Bradshaw.

SEATTLE - A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash., places a wreath at the mouth of the Quillayute River on Feb 12, 2012, honoring three Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives during a rescue attempt on Feb. 13, 1997. The three members were part of a four-man crew on a 44-foot motor lifeboat that capsized while responding to a distressed sailing vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan W. Bradshaw.

SEATTLE — A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash., places a wreath at the mouth of the Quillayute River on Feb 12, 2012, honoring three Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives during a rescue attempt on Feb. 13, 1997. The three members were part of a four-man crew on a 44-foot motor lifeboat that capsized while responding to a distressed sailing vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan W. Bradshaw.

SEATTLE - A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash., places a wreath at the mouth of the Quillayute River on Feb 12, 2012, honoring three Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives during a rescue attempt on Feb. 13, 1997. The three members were part of a four-man crew on a 44-foot motor lifeboat that capsized while responding to a distressed sailing vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan W. Bradshaw.

SEATTLE — A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash., places a wreath at the mouth of the Quillayute River on Feb 12, 2012, honoring three Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives during a rescue attempt on Feb. 13, 1997. The three members were part of a four-man crew on a 44-foot motor lifeboat that capsized while responding to a distressed sailing vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan W. Bradshaw.

SEATTLE - Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor, 13th Coast Guard District commander, speaks at a memorial ceremony at Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash. on Feb. 12, 2012. The ceremony marked the 15-year-anniversary of the fatal rescue attempt by a 44-foot motor lifeboat crew at the Quillayute River mouth. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan W. Bradshaw.

SEATTLE — Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor, 13th Coast Guard District commander, speaks at a memorial ceremony at Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash. on Feb. 12, 2012. The ceremony marked the 15-year-anniversary of the fatal rescue attempt by a 44-foot motor lifeboat crew at the Quillayute River mouth. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan W. Bradshaw.

 

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard and Quileute Tribal Nation participated in a ceremony at Coast Guard Station Quillayute River in La Push, Wash., on Sunday, which marked the 15-year-anniversary of the accident that claimed the lives of three Coast Guardsmen in a rescue attempt at the Quillayute River mouth.

The accident occurred when a 44-foot motor lifeboat crew responded to a distress call made by the sailing vessel Gale Runner.  The lifeboat was en route to the Gale Runner when it encountered a wave that ripped off its superstructure, ultimately causing the death of three of the four crewmembers.

The ceremony featured Coast Guard speakers including Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor, 13th Coast Guard District commander and Master Chief Petty Officer Scott Lowry, Officer-in-Charge of Station Quillayute River. The ceremony also featured a song of remembrance by the Quileute Tribal Nation and a speech by a tribal elder.

Following the ceremony a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew placed a wreath at the mouth of the Quillayute River and a Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles, Wash., conducted a flyover to honor those who lost their lives.

For additional information contact the 13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (206) 220-7237.   



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