COAST GUARD MOTOR LIFEBOAT FLORIDA

James Island, Wash. (Feb. 14) -- The 44-ft. motor lifeboat (44363) lies grounded on a rocky shore at James Island, Wash. The top portion of the boat had been torn away. Rips, scratches, and several deep dents marred its white hull. The boat's engine was still running when its lone survivor, Seaman Apprentice Ben Wingo, bruised and battered on the night of Feb. 12, stepped down off the boat in waist-deep water and waded to shore where he set off a flare. In the early morning hours of Feb. 12, in heavysea conditions off the Quillayute River/Pacific Ocean bar, three Coast Guardsmen from Station Quillayute died tragically when their 44-ft. motor lifeboat capsized as they responded to a distress call from a dismasted sailboat. USCG photo by PA3 Della Price