Abby C
On the morning of November 16, the fishing vessel Abby C sank in the Pacific Ocean near Grays Harbor, Washington. The Abby C had sent out a distress call that the fishing vessel was sinking. The United States Coast Guard received the call and started a search and rescue operation. A helicopter was launched and directed to the last known coordinates of the Abby C. Another fishing vessel some 20 miles away, the Lady Nancy, also heard the distress call and joined the search and rescue operation.
With rough conditions with swells reaching 14 feet, the Abby C crew abandoned ship into the life raft. Two crew were able to get inside the life raft with 2 others in the water holding on to a survival suit. Fortunately, the crew of the Abby C would be spotted by the Lady Nancy. The Lady Nancy would pull the men out of the water just as one crew member had fallen unconscious and let go of the survival suit. One of the Lady Nancy crew donned a survival suit and jumped into the sea. He would be able to grab hold of the unconscious crew member and get him onto the vessel. The Lady Nancy crew would perform CPR with success.
The Coast Guard helicopter arrived a short time later and hoisted all four survivors to safety. They would be taken to Hoquiam where they received medical treatment for hypothermia. Initial investigation has stated the Abby C had been struck by a large wave right after the distress call which swamped the vessel. The four crew just had enough time to evacuate into the sea before the vessel sank.
