Kayaker still missing on Preachers Slough after several days of searching

Published 1:30 am Saturday, July 18, 2026

As of late Friday morning, a kayaker believed to have paddled into Preachers Slough near Aberdeen on Tuesday is still missing.

Jeffrey A. Damasiewicz, 63, has been identified as the overdue kayaker. The kayak is blue in color.

“Our search efforts are continuing today (Thursday) with multiple boats on the water and drones overhead,” stated a news release from the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office. “We ask that if someone has located a blue kayak in the Chehalis River or its estuaries … to please report it to law enforcement by calling our non-emergency dispatch center at 360-533-8765. The location of the kayak could help us in locating Mr. Damasiewicz. … Our thoughts are with Jeffrey and his family during this difficult time as search efforts continue. We remain committed to doing everything we can to bring him home. We are asking for the public’s assistance as we continue searching.”

The kayaker departed from Preachers Slough Tuesday after 3 p.m. and has not returned as expected. Search efforts have continued with the assistance from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Aberdeen Police Department and the United States Coast Guard.

If you have seen a blue kayak in the area or have any information that may assist search crews, contact Grays Harbor 911 immediately. Even if you think the information may not be significant, it could help direct our search efforts.

“We appreciate the community’s support as we work together to locate the missing kayaker,” stated the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office.