Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Norcross, USCG, issued this statement at Jan. 26, 5:26 p.m., regarding the small-plane crash in Hood Canal near Seabeck:

SEABECK — Coast Guard crews and local responders are searching for survivors of a small plane that reportedly crashed into the Hood Canal [Jan. 26].

Two MH-65 Dolphin helicopters crews from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Seattle, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Henry Blake, homeported in Everett, and local law enforcement personnel are searching for the survivors of small red and white plane that reportedly crashed in waters near Seabeck.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a call from Kitsap County 911 operators around 1 p.m. reporting a small plane with an unknown number of people on board had crashed in the waters of the Hood Canal.

A responding Dolphin helicopter crew confirmed a debris field around 2:30 p.m. in the area of the reported plane crash.

Coast Guard crews and local responders are continuing their search for survivors.

Above: A Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office patrol boat motors along the waters of Hood Canal south of Seabeck on Jan. 26, searching for a downed plane. Pete O’Cain / Central Kitsap Reporter