Coast Guard Rescues Three Fishermen After Vessel Collision, Sinking Off Grays Harbor

A collision between two commercial fishing vessels off the Washington coast recently left one boat at the bottom of the ocean and three crew members narrowly escaping the frigid Pacific waters.

On the morning of July 21, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard responded to a distress call roughly 22 miles off Grays Harbor. Authorities reported that the 62-foot F/V TABITHA collided with the 35-foot wooden-hulled F/V NORA J. While the F/V TABITHA escaped with minor damage, the F/V NORA J sustained severe hull breaches and immediately began taking on water.

A U.S. Coast Guard motor lifeboat crew out of Station Grays Harbor arrived shortly after the incident, and evacuated the three fishermen aboard the F/V NORA J. The F/V TABITHA stood by to assist, but despite coordinated dewatering efforts, the F/V NORA J could not be saved and sank in about 300 feet of water.

Grays Harbor is home to a working fleet that many Washington families depend on for their livelihood, and a collision like this is a reminder of how quickly things can turn on the water, even close to shore and in relatively mild conditions. Weather at the scene was reported as 3-foot seas, 7 mph winds, and water temperature of 58 degrees, conditions that, while not extreme, still would have made a rapid abandonment far more dangerous without a fast U.S. Coast Guard response.

“We are grateful to the Station Grays Harbor crew who swiftly arrived on scene and helped prevent any of the mariners from entering the water,” said Lt. Patrick Norton, a command duty officer at the Coast Guard Columbia River Command Center. “The Coast Guard is proud to support the men and women whose livelihood depends on the waters of the Pacific Northwest.”

Vessel collisions raise their own set of legal questions distinct from a single-vessel casualty. Investigators will look closely at navigation rules, watchkeeping, communication between the two vessels, and whether either crew took appropriate action to avoid the collision once it became apparent. Findings here can affect not just who bears responsibility for the loss of the F/V NORA J, but also any claims crew members may have for their own injuries, losses, and disruption to their livelihoods.

We’re relieved that all three crew members made it off the F/V NORA J. If you’ve been involved in a commercial fishing vessel collision and need help understanding your rights, our maritime attorneys are here to help. Call us today at 1-877-DECKLAW for a free consultation.