In the coastal community of Bay Center, Washington, a young man named Bryson Michael Fitch, age 24, disappeared on February 5, 2023, after the commercial fishing vessel he was on capsized. The 46-foot crab boat, named the Ethel May, encountered treacherous conditions in Willapa Bay, leading to the vessel sinking. Two other crew members who were aboard the vessel with Fitch were successfully rescued from a life raft by a Coast Guard helicopter.
Despite their survival, Fitch was tragically unaccounted for following the incident. The two survivors were transported to a local hospital to be evaluated for hypothermia.
The United States Coast Guard, along with state and local agencies, launched an extensive search for Fitch. Search and rescue teams covered approximately 290 square miles over a period of more than 15 hours, utilizing 18 different search patterns. Despite the exhaustive efforts, the official search was suspended the evening after the incident. Debris from the Ethel May was found within Willapa Bay and the adjacent waters of the Pacific Ocean, indicating that the vessel had broken apart. The vessel's pilothouse later washed ashore.
Even after the official search was called off, Fitch's family, friends, and the local community refused to give up hope. They organized their own search efforts, combing local shorelines and using binoculars to scan the water for any sign of him. The family expressed their determination to bring him home, and a GoFundMe page was established to support his wife and three young children, as Fitch was the sole provider for his family. The community rallied around the family, with many volunteers offering their time to help with the search and oystermen looking daily as they went out on their dredges and skiffs. This case is a solemn reminder of the dangers faced by those in the fishing industry. The Dungeness crab fishery in the Pacific Northwest is recognized as one of the most hazardous, with numerous lives lost over the years. The community's response to Fitch's disappearance highlights the close-knit nature of fishing communities and their resilience in the face of tragedy. Despite the passage of time and the suspension of the official search, the hope of bringing Bryson Fitch home has not been abandoned by his loved ones.Last Seen: Feb 5, 2023
