The US Coast Guard announced that a formal marine casualty investigation has started regarding the marine casualty of the commercial fishing vessel Coastal Reign which capsized February 20, 2021 resulting in the loss of two lives.
The crew of the 38-foot fishing vessel, Coastal Reign, were attempting to cross the Tillamook Bay Bar inbound when the vessel capsized with four crewmembers on board.
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.
Upon completion of the investigation, the Coast Guard will issue a report of investigation with collected evidence, established facts and conclusions and recommendations regarding the marine casualty.
Τhe Coastal Reign was crossing the Tillamook Bay Bar when it turned beam to the swells and rolled over. A US Coast Guard rescue boat was nearby in order to monitor the crossing, and managed to pull two people from the water, including one who was unresponsive. A third survivor made it ashore to the jetty and climbed out of the water, and was later rescued by a helicopter.
The body of the fourth and final member was also found and recovered. The other unresponsive victim was flown to a hospital in Portland, but did not survive.
The vessel remained afoat and went aground near the entrance to the bar.
