On January 25, 1986, 17-year-old Anthony Beirnes (known as Tony) left Anacortes, Washington, with two friends, Mitchell Zimny and Keith Humenik, in a borrowed 10-foot homemade white aluminum skiff. The boys were juniors in high school and intended a short, one-and-a-half-mile trip to Young Island. They were last seen near Fidalgo Island with a 7.5-horsepower engine and six gallons of gasoline. Anthony wore a gray ski coat with a blue stripe and a light blue sweatsuit.

The boys failed to return and a Coast Guard search lasted several days. The only item recovered was a single oar found on the south side of Burrows Island; the boat and the three teenagers were never located. Investigators found no sign they had planned an extended outing — no camping gear or extra supplies were taken. Law enforcement has presumed a drowning accident, and the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office maintains case file 86-0450.

Did anyone in the area at the time observe a small white skiff or the boys heading toward Young Island that day? Please share tips or memories that might help the families.