LAPUSH — The fate of Coast Guard Station Quillayute River remains undecided despite two major search and rescue operations in the last two weeks.
Capt. Bill Peterson, Coast Guard Group Port Angeles commander, said Thursday that the two rescue operations will be taken into account before a final decision is made in Washington, D.C., on closing the 26-man station, dedicating it for search and rescue operations only, operating it seasonally or making it a civilian auxiliary station.
“It’s an emotional issue and going to be looked at closely,” Peterson said.
The Coast Guard is expected to resume the search for four missing men today (Friday) following the discovery of a capsized 17-foot Boston Whaler on Little James Island’s north shore on Thursday.
And on Aug. 22, the 28-foot Viki M slammed into the rocks around the island, killing a 74-year-old Seattle sport fisherman.
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