CG SEA LION

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Coast Guard Cutter towed ghost ship to port

On Aug 12, 2025, a fixed-wing aircraft flew over the fishing vessel 'Karolee', 22 gt (Coast Guard ID: 248180), and attempted to make contact. The aircraft got no response from the vessel and found no signs of distress, but there was no activity on board the vessel either. On Aug 13, the 'Sea Lion' was dispatched to intercept the 'Karolee'. It reached the fishing vessel in the morning and found no one on board. The vessel had been rigged for fishing, the vessel lights were enabled and all the safety equipment was still in place, but was there were no one on board. The 'Sea Lion' took the 'Karolee' under tow and proceeded to Eureka, California where the vessel was moored. The Coast Guard launched a search between Cape Flattery up to La Push, Washington along the track the 'Karolee' had sailed. After searching hundreds of miles from the water and the sea, the search was called off. The Coast Guard found no signs of the skipper. The relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The 'Karolee' had departed from Washington with a single person on board, who sent out a text message on the morning of Aug 8. He stated the weather was foggy and that he nearly had a collision with a whale. No further communication was sent from the vessel. The AIS tracked the 'Karolee' as it proceeded south at four knots along the Washington and Oregon coast. Several vessels had attempted to contact the 'Karolee', but got no response. It is uncertain what exactly happened on board the ship. At some point between Aug 8 and Aug 12, the skipper went overboard. The fishing vessel continued on its course south unmanned. It is unlikely any other details of what exactly happened on the fishing vessel will be known. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4275571/coast-guard-suspends-search-for-man-missing-off-pacific-northwest-coast/