Seattle, WA – May 23, 2025** — A wave of shock and sadness has swept through the sports world and the city of Seattle as six top players from the Seattle Mariners have been reported missing after a private boating trip turned tragic. The players, whose names are being withheld pending official confirmation and notification of families, were last seen boarding a yacht late Wednesday evening for what was intended to be a brief excursion off the coast of Washington.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed early Thursday morning that the vessel, reportedly a 50-foot luxury motor yacht, had lost contact with shore-based radio around 11:30 PM. An emergency distress signal was activated approximately 12 miles off the coast, near the San Juan Islands, shortly thereafter.
“Search and rescue operations began immediately once the signal was received,” said Commander Rachel Alvarez of the U.S. Coast Guard at a press briefing. “We are utilizing helicopters, rescue boats, and divers to locate the missing individuals. At this time, we are treating this as an active search and rescue operation.”
The Mariners organization released a brief but emotional statement Thursday afternoon:
> “We are heartbroken by the news that several of our players are currently unaccounted for following a boating incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, their families, and everyone affected by this terrible situation. We are working closely with the Coast Guard and local authorities to assist in any way we can.”
The players, considered to be the core of the team’s current roster, include multiple All-Stars and key contributors to the Mariners’ push toward a postseason berth this year. Known for their camaraderie both on and off the field, the group had reportedly planned the trip as a team-building retreat during a rare mid-season break.
Fans gathered outside T-Mobile Park early Thursday, laying flowers, Mariners caps, and hand-written notes near the stadium gates. Social media was flooded with messages of hope, prayer, and heartbreak from fans, players from other MLB teams, and public figures across the country.
“I just can’t believe this. These guys are like family to Seattle,” said Julia Mendes, a long-time Mariners fan who lives in the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. “You watch them play every night, and you feel like you know them. It’s devastating.”
The incident has cast a somber shadow over the team’s upcoming schedule. Major League Baseball officials have not yet announced whether upcoming Mariners games will be postponed or played as scheduled. Mental health counselors and crisis teams have been made available to the team and its staff, according to sources close to the organization.
As rescue teams continue their efforts, the Coast Guard has requested assistance from nearby vessels and advised civilians to avoid the search area. Weather conditions, which reportedly worsened shortly after the boat departed, may have played a role in the incident. Investigators are also reviewing the vessel’s maintenance logs and navigational data.
This tragedy comes at a time when the Mariners had been enjoying one of their most promising seasons in recent memory. With a strong young core and a reinvigorated fanbase, the team had high hopes of making a deep playoff run — a goal now overshadowed by uncertainty and grief.
For now, a city waits — hoping for a miracle, holding its breath, and preparing for what may come next.