Nickolas Randall Saling, 53, disappeared after a solo sail from Bellingham, Washington, to Cypress Island on October 20, 2019. Raised aboard his family’s sailboat after being born in Seattle, Saling was an experienced sailor and longtime Salish Sea outdoorsman. His sister reported him missing the morning after he failed to return.

Saling’s 25-foot yellow sailboat was found unoccupied northeast of Lummi Island, prompting an extensive 15-hour search covering more than 360 square nautical miles by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and volunteer teams including Summit to Sound Search and Rescue. No sign of Saling was found on sea or land, and after several days the search was suspended. Investigators said new evidence indicated a water-related accident was the most probable cause. An obituary confirmed he died in a boating accident on October 20, 2019. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Did anyone in the community recall seeing Saling’s yellow sailboat or activity near Cypress or Lummi Island on October 20, 2019?