Fishing Vessel ILA goes aground off Westport
The commercial fishing vessel ILA, a long liner, was discovered aground, listing on a sand bar at the high tide line about a half mile north of W. Ocean Avenue at approximately 3 a.m. Saturday morning. Coast Guard vessel registration records show that the hailing port for the vessel is Ketchikan, Alaska, but local fishermen say the boat has been moored at the Westport Marina for several years. Responders from U.S. Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor boarded the vessel and made contact with the sole occupant, boat owner/skipper Ken Earnst, who was still asleep below decks. He was safely escorted off the vessel and spent the remainder of night in Westport. Earnst, a Sedro Woolley resident, said that he was about seven miles offshore and preparing to set his lines when he opted instead to go below and sleep. 2 more images, Read the story here 14:19
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