Accidents of the Week - October 9, 2026
BoatTEST publishes “Accidents of the Week” as a public service for our VIP Subscribers to acquaint them with potential boating dangers and by inference their prevention.
Coast Guard Rescues Capsized Kayaker
9/25/26 – San Juan Co., WA
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a 45-year-old man whose kayak capsized near Parker Reef in Washington State’s San Juan Islands on the morning of September 25.
At 8:09 a.m., Coast Guard Northwest District command center watchstanders heard a mayday call on VHF Channel 16 from a kayaker, reporting that his kayak had capsized and he was in the water. His kayaking partner was able to remain upright and afloat.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Air Station Port Angeles and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew from Station Bellingham were launched to assist. At 9:12 a.m., the Station Bellingham boat crew arrived on the scene and rescued the man from the water and recovered his kayak.
He was taken to shore at Brandt’s Landing Marina and transferred to awaiting emergency medical services. His partner paddled safely to shore under his own power.
Three Hurt in High-Speed Boat Crash
9/27/26 – Elkhart Co., IN
Three people were hurt after two boats crashed on the evening of September 27 on the St. Joseph River in Elkhart County, Indiana.
According to investigators with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, three people, including one juvenile, were sent to the hospital that night.
A speedboat was traveling between 45 and 60 mph when it collided with a boat going at a lower rate of speed. According to investigators, a juvenile was ejected from the second boat but was wearing a life jacket and was pulled to safety by their father.
Speedboat Driver Leaves Scene
The driver of the speedboat left the scene before calling 9-1-1 from their home. All three people in the second boat were taken to the hospital, and two adults were still receiving treatment at the time of reporting.
Two People, Dog Rescued from Capsized Boat
9/26/26 – Riviera Beach, FL
A 22-foot vessel capsized on September 26 in Palm Beach Shores, Florida, with two people and a dog aboard, Riviera Beach Fire Rescue said.
Several agencies coordinated their response and worked together to safely rescue them from the boat. Assisting were personnel from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Coast Guard, the Town of Palm Beach and Palm Beach Shores.
Both individuals were successfully removed from the hazardous situation, and no injuries were reported.
As a precaution, the individuals were taken to a local hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.
Coast Guard Rescues One After Boat Runs Aground
9/24/26 – Santa Rosa Island, CA
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued one person after a sailboat ran aground on Santa Rosa Island, off the Southern California coast, on September 24.
The Coast Guard received a report of the grounded 25-foot boat at 12:18 p.m. and launched a helicopter crew from its air station in Ventura County to respond. A photo provided by the military service showed the boat pitched on its side on the beach.
The helicopter crew brought the individual to the Camarillo Airport. The person was evaluated by the Ventura County Fire Department, which found no injuries, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard did not say what caused the sailboat to run aground. The boat was removed from the Santa Rosa Island beach by a towing company and transported to Ventura Harbor, the service said.
Santa Rosa Island is part of Channel Islands National Park.
Missing Kayaker Found Dead, Wasn’t Wearing PFD
9/17/26 – Lake Co., CA
A 37-year-old kayaker was found dead in California’s Clear Lake on September 21, four days after leaving home for a trip in his inflatable kayak.
Karmagit Singh of Yuba City was reported missing by his family on September 18. Relatives later found his white Mazda SUV parked along Highway 20 near Lucerne, with an empty inflatable kayak box inside.
Sheriff’s Office Urges Boaters to Use PFDs
Lake County Sheriff’s deputies searched the lake using boats, drones and shoreline patrols. On September 21, a fisherman spotted Singh’s body in the water near the eastern shore and called 911. Deputies and fire crews recovered his body.
Singh was not wearing a life jacket. Investigators found no signs of foul play, but the investigation remained open. The sheriff’s office urged boaters and paddlers to wear properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Two Rescued by Coast Guard as Boat Takes on Water
9/26/26 – Charleston, SC
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two passengers on September 26 after their boat began taking on water near the Charleston jetties, in South Carolina.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast, a Coast Guard Charleston boat crew responded to the 55-foot vessel after it began flooding and rescued the two passengers aboard.
To access BoatTEST’s archived “Accidents of the Week” become of a VIP Member of BoatTEST and learn how you can avoid accidents of all types. Click here...