Boat captain presumed dead, ship capsized in Oregon River

A boat captain who recently went missing after his vessel capsized in the Oregon River is now presumed dead.

On Thursday, September 26, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office released a statement regarding a victim identified as Michael Shufeldt of Woodland, Washington.

According to the sheriff’s office, “The search for a missing boater began at 11:39 a.m. yesterday.” [Wednesday, Sept. 25] has now been designated a recovery mission.”

Shufeldt’s boat was found with the help of the Skamania County Dive Team around 2 p.m. local time “in the Columbia River at a depth of approximately 40 feet near the mouth of the White Salmon River.” Efforts to remove the boat from the water continued until Thursday.

The sheriff’s office added that Shufeldt “was not near the vessel and is presumed deceased.”

Rescue teams have tried to locate the victim using additional means such as remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV), but the search has so far been unsuccessful.

While the investigation continues, authorities believe Shufeldt’s boat may have sunk “as a result of rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.”

“The commercial lead boat capsized after encountering a large wave at the stern. Conditions at the time of the accident were treacherous and initial evidence points to a tragic accident,” the statement said.

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Hood River County Emergency Services was first alerted to the incident after receiving a call around 11:39 a.m. Wednesday reporting a capsized boat in the Columbia River near the mouth of the White Salmon River, the release said .

Within 15 minutes, law enforcement officers had arrived at the scene and “several other law enforcement boats” were assisting in the search.

There were seven people on board, including Shufeldt. Of those seven, two people were taken to hospital, authorities said, adding that certain details were withheld: “Out of respect for the families of those on board, the names are not being released at this time.”

The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia River Intertribal Fisheries Officers, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Skamania County Sheriff’s Office and several civilian vessels assisted in the search from day one, according to HRCSO. Additionally, the sheriff’s office aircraft and U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Astoria Station also participated.

On Thursday, before the sheriff’s office identified the victim, Shufeldt’s friend Josiah Darr published a Facebook post expressing his sadness.

“There are not enough good things to say about Michael Shufeldt. “He was one of the kindest, most humble and entertaining people I have ever had the pleasure of calling my friend,” he began.

The post included seven photos of Shufeldt, who was seen smiling in all but one of the photos while spending time outdoors. Just in case he wasn’t in nature, he was in a kitchen holding a laughing toddler.

“He also ruined the fish, but he never seemed to care that much. He was much more likely to talk about his children or his wife. Some things just don’t make sense and never will. I love you, buddy,” Darr concluded.