SEATTLE – The Coast Guard suspended the search Saturday May 24, 2025 at 12:30 a.m. for a 15-year-old boy who was reported struggling to swim off the coast of Long Beach, WA pending any new information.
Two other members of his party attempted to reach him unsuccessfully, resulting in a rescue of their own by a Pacific County Rescue Swimmer aboard a jet ski. The two were transported by local EMS to Ocean Beach Hospital due to possible hypothermia.
At approximately 8:00 p.m. on Friday May 23, 2025 watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River received a report from Pacific County Dispatch and launched boat crews aboard a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Station Cape Disappointment and flight crews aboard a MH-60 Jayhawk from Air Station Astoria. Crews searched for over five hours covering more than 100 nautical miles.
“The act of suspending any search, let alone that of a 15-year-old, is something that the Coast Guard does not take lightly and not without a heavy heart,” said Greg Merten Coast Guard Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator. “We would like to thank the swimmer from Pacific County for their heroism and extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this horrible tragedy.”
Weather conditions at the time of search were 8 knots from the Northwest, 3-foot waves, 53-degree air temperature, and 54-degree water temperature.