Archive image: A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles conducts flight operations around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The Air Station, located near the Los Angeles International Airport, conducts law enforcement, search and rescue, pollution response, and homeland security operations.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers
SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard along with the U.S. Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, and local partner agencies conducted the rescue of a seaplane crash survivors in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island Marine State Park. Thursday, July 23, 2026.
All 11 passengers are accounted for and have been transported to the following locations:
- Four people were transported by a San Juan County Sheriff’s boat to Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor
- One person was transported to Orcas Island by a Washington State Park Ranger boat. They were later transported by Airlift Northwest to Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon
- Three people were transported by U.S. Coast Guard Station Bellingham’s 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) crew to Station Bellingham where they were met by Bellingham Fire Department emergency medical services (EMS)
- One person was transported by the San Juan Island fireboat to Coast Guard Station Bellingham where they were also met by Bellingham Fire Department EMS
- One person was hoisted from the San Juan County Sheriff’s boat to an Air Station Port Angeles MH-65E Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew. The MH-65 aircrew transported the patient to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Bellingham
- One person was transported by Airlift Northwest to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Bellingham
For information regarding patient status, contact the respective medical facility.
The U.S. Coast Guard, along with the U.S. Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, and local partner agencies responded to a seaplane emergency landing in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island.
U.S. Coast Guard photo.
A U.S. Navy MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter from Station SAR Whidbey Island also provided support by delivering backboards to first responders, standing by for additional medevacs and assisting with airspace deconfliction.
Before first responders arrived, good Samaritans and medical professionals boating in the area conducted several rescues, assisted with triaging injured passengers and provided stable platforms for emergency personnel to treat patients.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude for the extraordinary interagency cooperation and response during yesterday’s seaplane crash near Sucia Island,” said Cmdr. Beau C. Belanger, commanding officer at Air Station Port Angeles. “Thanks to the rapid coordination between our federal, local, and state agencies, alongside several critical good Samaritans, we successfully rescued and transported patients for medical evaluation and treatment.”
The aircraft was removed from the site on Friday by salvage contractors hired by Kenmore Air.
The U.S. Coast Guard, along with the U.S. Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, and local partner agencies responded to a seaplane emergency landing in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island.
U.S. Coast Guard video.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles.
U.S. Coast Guard Northwest.
U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area.
U.S. Navy.
Canadian Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard Cutter Blue Shark (WPB-87360) and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Marine Unit were on scene during the operation to ensure the safety and security of the scene.
Officials reported no significant threat to the environment. A small, unrecoverable sheen was observed. The plane was carrying approximately 100 gallons of fuel. There is no resulting hazard to marine navigation.
Questions regarding the investigation can be referred to the National Transportation Safety Board.
–USCG–
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