PORT ANGELES — A good Samaritan from Sequim and Coast Guard Group Port Angeles personnel rescued three Tacoma-area fishermen Wednesday from a burning boat in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The 34-foot, 1978 Tollycraft was engulfed in flames when the Coast Guard arrived aboard 25-foot and 41-foot rescue boats.
The fiberglass boat burned and sank in 70 feet of water in a half-hour about five miles north of the base of Ediz Hook.
Only a “venting” propane tank was retrieved from the debris, Coast Guard officials said.
“It looked like that tornado in the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ except it was smoke,” said Petty Officer First Class Mike Menichini, who led the rescuers and has been in the Coast Guard more than 10 years.
“I’ve seen a few fires over the years, and I’ve got to say this was probably the biggest.”