Coast Guard suspends search for two Olympia residents after capsized boat found

The Coast Guard has suspended the active search for two Olympia area residents who disappeared off the North Jetty of Grays Harbor on Thursday.

Thomas Miller, 68, and Tina Pittman, 41, are believed to have been on a 20-foot Boston Whaler that capsized and was found 30 yards offshore Thursday evening.

The vessel was registered to Miller, the Coast Guard reported. Pittman, who works at Buzz’s Bar & Grill on Mud Bay Road, was reported missing by her husband Thursday evening.

The initial report of the capsized boat came into the Coast Guard at about 7:10 p.m. from a person walking the beach who called 911. The 911 dispatcher forwarded the call to watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River.

A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Grays Harbor in Westport and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria searched the area. Coast Guard crews searched more than 1,200 trackline miles and 555 square miles.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing people,” said Mark Dobney, command duty officer, Sector Columbia River.

"The decision to suspend a search is extremely difficult," said Capt. Daniel Travers, commander Coast Guard Sector Columbia River.

The capsized boat, life jackets, coolers and various other debris washed ashore north of the North Jetty overnight. Miller’s truck with an empty boat trailer was located at the Westport Boat launch.

This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 10:45 AM with the headline "Coast Guard suspends search for two Olympia residents after capsized boat found."