Bruce Edward Backlund, 61, vanished from his 42-foot white 1988 Pleasure Craft cabin cruiser after taking the boat out on March 18, 2004, from Anacortes, Washington. The vessel was later found adrift in Padilla Bay with the engine running and two anchors trailing; Backlund was not aboard.

The U.S. Coast Guard searched the surrounding waters but found no sign of him. Authorities consider the most likely explanation to be that he fell overboard while handling an anchor and drowned, and he is presumed lost at sea. Backlund was a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, past commodore of the Anacortes Yacht Club, an active member of the maritime community, husband and stepfather, and a member of local clubs. A memorial service was held; the case remains open and classified as a lost or injured missing person.

Did anyone in the area see Backlund or his boat on March 18, 2004, or have information about his final outing?