Crewmember Dies Following Ship Collision Off Washington State

The Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating a fatal collision between two fishing vessels off the Washington coast.

On Friday morning, the Canadian vessel - Viking Storm - hit the drifting fishing vessel, Maverick, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The 40-foot Maverick later sank off La Push. Three of the four people aboard the Viking Storm were rescued and transferred ashore by the Coast Guard in stable condition.

The search for one missing man was called off Saturday. Another seafarer, Kelly Dickerson, was presumed dead. His father, 66-year-old Darby Dickerson, was captain of the boat.

The Coast Guard is concerned about a probable fuel spill. The purpose of the investigation is to make safety recommendations that would avoid a similar accident from occurring.

Photo (thumb): James Island from the beach at La Push