Navy News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Navy Times

Dead Coast Guardsman not from Puget Sound

A Coast Guardsman who died Sunday after being ejected from a 25-foot homeland security boat belonged to a maritime safety and security team deployed to the Seattle area.

The service has not released the name of the 25-year-old petty officer, pending notification of next of kin, but an official said Monday he was not a member of MSST 91101, homeported in Seattle.

“The boat was from a visiting MSST,” Public Affairs Specialist 1st Class Shawn Eggert said.

The Coast Guardsman died of injuries suffered when he fell from a 25-foot Defender-class homeland security boat at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday.

His boat was taking part in a security patrol and training mission north of Vashon Island at the time of the accident.

According to Coast Guard officials, three 25-foot patrol boats were operating in the area at the time. Two were taking part in the patrol exercise, monitoring the coastline.

The crew of one of the other Defender-class boats came to the petty officer’s aid after he fell overboard. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he was pronounced dead.

The Defender is a small, maneuverable boat used for homeland security patrols, ship escorts and boating safety patrols. Powered by two Honda 225 engines, the boats can travel at speeds higher than 45 knots and are highly responsive, with a tight turning radius.