BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Deputies with Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) were dispatched to a Lake Whatcom Boulevard address on the west shore of Lake Whatcom early this morning, July 17th, about 12:30am due to multiple reports of a 20 to 30-foot boat speeding near private docks.
Initial reports were that there were 2 people on the boat and they appeared to be trying to swamp other boats while yelling profanities.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies reported via radio that the speeding boat had hit other boats.
Deputies were able to make verbal contact with the boater after the boat appeared to have run out of gas about 40-yards offshore.
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Click for more informationAccording to WCSO Spokesperson Deb Slater, when deputies approached the boat in a WCSO boat, the boater was slurring his words and empty beer cans were seen in plain view on the boat. The boater was taken into custody and brought onto the WCSO boat. During the trip back to shore, the boater kicked at deputies, struck a deputy and threatened them.
Deputies reported bringing the suspect to shore at Bloedel Donovan Park and booked Peter C Harrison, age 48, into the Whatcom County Jail about 6:45am charged with suspicion of the following felony charges.
- Negligent operation of a vessel
- Operating a vessel under influence
- 3rd degree assault
- Felony harassment
- 1st degree malicious mischief causing more than $5,000 in damage
Harrison was released from custody after posting $25,000 bail on July 18th.
This story was updated 9:30am on July 21st with information from WCSO and reflect the change of custody status.