The U.S. Coast Guard rescues two boaters on a disabled sailboat near the San Juan Islands, where the woman tragically lost her life.
The mission started around 7 p.m. on Monday when the captain sent out a mayday call saying the boat was drifting toward land.
A boat crew from Station Bellingham and a helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles answered the call.
Despite the 25 to 35 mph winds and rough seas the USCG immediately tried to rescue the boaters but the boat ran aground.
USCG said the mast collapsed and the only way to reach the people was by lowering a rescue swimmer.
The rescue swimmer brought up a 56-year-old man and handed him over to the rescue boat.
Shortly after, an unconscious woman was found in the water and taken to the rescue boat.
The USCG performed CPR until paramedics took over and drove to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.
Despite efforts to save the woman, she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The man and a USCG member, injured during the rescue, were also taken to the hospital.
The Coast Guard member was released later that night.
The condition of the man was not released.
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