Crab fisherman's body found in Penn Cove

By JESSIE STENSLAND
Whidbey News Times Assistant editor
February 16, 2012 · 10:47 AM

The body of a crab fisherman who went missing Feb. 12 was discovered in Penn Cove Wednesday afternoon.

Island County Undersheriff Kelly Mauck said the man's body was found by searchers at about 3:15 p.m. He said the sheriff's office was not involved in the recovery, but the Swinomish Tribe took responsibility for the body.

Island County Coroner Robert Bishop is performing the autopsy today.

The crabber, who has not been identified, disappeared from his 32-foot bow-picker. A Swinomish Fisheries patrolman found the boat, unmanned but under power, on the east side of Whidbey Island.

The search for the man involved boats from several jurisdictions, a Coast Guard helicopter and divers; the divers found six pots believed to have come from the boat in the water.

The search was eventually called off Monday morning.

Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.

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