PORT TOWNSEND — Crews with the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles pulled a man and his dog to safety after their sailboat ran aground in the Port Townsend area on Christmas Day.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, at around 7am, a passerby called to report a man in distress between the Port of Port Townsend and the Port Townsend Paper Mill. The passerby said that the man was struggling to navigate in the strong winds and high seas, had requested help.

The Sheriff’s Office says the sailboat ran aground near the Larry Scott Trail, and both the man and his dog were stranded on the vessel surrounded by crashing waves.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer arrived to help, and got them ashore unharmed.

(US Coast Guard photo)