U.S. Coast Guard Convenes Formal Investigation into Fatal Capsizing of a Fishing Vessel at the Tillamook Bay Bar

The U.S. Coast Guard will convene a formal marine casualty investigation into the capsizing of a commercial fishing vessel with the loss of two lives at Oregon’s Tillamook Bay Bar on Saturday.

The 38-foot fishing vessel, Coastal Reign, was attempting to cross the Tillamook Bay Bar inbound at around 4:40 p.m. local time on February 20 when the vessel capsized with four crew members on board. The Coast Guard reported that the fishing vessel was being watched by U.S.C.G. personnel at a watch tower as it crossed the bar to return to port. Once it capsized, they immediately dispatched rescue crews to the scene.

All four people were recovered from the water, including the two victims who were unresponsive.

The Coastal Reign was overturned when it washed up on the south jetty at the Tillamook bar entrance.

Rear Adm. Anthony Vogt, Coast Guard Thirteenth District Commander, authorized the investigation pursuant to the authority contained in Title 46, United States Code, Section 6301 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

The Coast Guard has established an e-mail address for the public and interested parties to provide information, ask questions and make comments related to the ongoing investigation and scheduled hearing.

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