'Much-Loved' Fishing Boat Captain Missing for Days After Staying on Vessel as It Sank
Jon Stevenson, the captain of a fishing vessel, remains missing after his boat sank near Westport, Wash., on May 9
Three other people from the vessel were rescued
"He was selfless in a way, because he cared so much for other people and his family,' said a fisherman who worked with StevensonThe Coast Guard called off the search for the missing captain of a 68-foot fishing vessel that sank off the Washington coast over the weekend, while the victim's friends remembered him as a happy and caring individual.
According to a news release shared on Saturday, May 10, the maritime law enforcement agency said the incident involving the Captain Raleigh boat occurred near Westport, Wash., on Friday, May 9.
Authorities said they received a distress call from the vessel master at approximately 8:15 a.m., local time, who said the boat was taking on water and the onboard pumps could not keep up.
Responders arrived at the scene, and a good Samaritan vessel pulled alongside the Captain Raleigh and offered a dewatering pump, read the Coast Guard news release.
Shortly after a rescue crew from Station Grays Harbor arrived at around 8:30 a.m., the Captain Raleigh immediately sank, the Coast Guard added.
A Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor boat crew rescued three life-jacket-wearing members of the Captain Raleigh from the water, who were subsequently taken to the station for medical evaluation.
Meanwhile, 'the captain was reported to still be aboard the Captain Raleigh when she sank near the Grays Harbor bar entrance,' said the Coast Guard, per its news release.
Crews, including a U.S. Navy dive team, took part in the search efforts. At about 11:45 a.m., they pinpointed the location of the Captain Raleigh, said the Coast Guard.
However, the Navy dive team was prevented from accessing the wreck site until 6 p.m., due to unfavorable environmental conditions
'Unfortunately, debris, poor visibility, and strong subsurface currents prevented the divers from accessing the interior of the fishing vessel,' the Coast Guard added.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., the agency suspended the search for the captain.
Capt. Justin Noggle, commander of Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, said in a press statement: "This is a tragedy for our fishing communities. I'm thankful our Coast Guard crews were able to save the three crewmembers quickly, and our hearts are with the family and friends of everyone impacted by this tremendous loss.'
Media outlets, including NBC affiliate KGW, the Lincoln Chronicle and The News Tribune, identified the missing captain as Jon Stevenson, 44, of Newport, Ore.
According to a Facebook post from the Newport Fishermen's Wives, Stevenson was a husband and father of three children. He was described as a 'much-loved member of the commercial fishing industry up and down the West Coast.'
'An outstanding man who spent his life taking care of and entertaining all with his wicked sense of humor, Jon was deeply cherished by everyone who knew him,' read the group's post.
Taunette Dixon, a friend of the Stevenson family and a member of the Newport Fishermen's Wives, told KGW that the captain was known for being joyous.
"He was just a happy human,' said Dixon.
"He was selfless in a way, because he cared so much for other people and his family,' Kyle Retherford, a commercial fisherman who had worked with Stevenson, said to KGW. 'He loved his family, and it was inspiring.'
Dixon established a GoFundMe for Stevenson's family, whose description read in part: 'We all feel the need to help this beautiful family, and this is one thing we can do to ease some of the pressures they are feeling. The thing Jon would want the most is that his family supported and cared for.'
PEOPLE contacted the Coast Guard and Dixon for additional information on Tuesday, May 13.
The Coast Guard said in its Saturday news release that a Seattle commercial salvage team is expected to arrive at the wreck scene and develop a salvage plan. It added that the sinking had no reported impact on the shoreline.
Read the original article on People
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