
The person at the center of this case
Jason E. Bjaranson
Justice for Jason E. Bjaranson — the trail went cold in 2012, but the truth hasn't.
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Why did the vessel sink with no distress call or flares sent out, only an automatic EPIRB signal?
What was the condition of the life raft found at the scene, and why were no survivors located despite its presence?
Were there other crew members aboard The Lady Cecelia, and if so, what happened to them?
Jason E. Bjaranson, a 38-year-old deckhand, went missing on March 10, 2012, when the fishing vessel The Lady Cecelia sank approximately 17 miles off the coast of Southern Washington State. The boat's Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) triggered an alert at the Coast Guard station in Warrenton, Oregon at 3:37 a.m., but no distress calls were ever made and no survivors were located despite an extensive 640 square-mile search. The circumstances of the sinking and the fate of Bjaranson and any other crew members remain unknown, making this case a significant maritime mystery.
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Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
What was the exact timeline of events between the EPIRB signal and the Coast Guard helicopter arrival?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
NamUs case MP14191. Missing person: Jason E.
Bjaranson. Last known contact: 2012-03-10 in Warrenton, Clatsop, OR.
Circumstances: Jason Bjaranson was a deck hand on the Fishing Vessel "The Lady Cecelia" that sank approximately 17 miles off the coast of Southern Washington State on 03/10/2012. No flares or distress calls went out from The Lady Cecelia.
The only indication that the boat had gone down was due to the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). A device mounted on the roof of a boat’s cabin that sends out a signal if it comes into contact with water.
The ping hit the Coast Guard station at Warrenton, Oregon at 3:37 a.m. on Saturday and a Coast Guard helicopter found the slick and the life raft in less than two hours off.
The United states Coast Guard conducted a search of 640 square miles but were unable to locate any survivors. Demographics: 38 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 160 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown. Investigating agency: United State Coast Guard Sector Columbia River | MISOE#4261013.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon from The Lady Cecelia triggered alert at Coast Guard station in Warrenton, Oregon at 3:37 a.m. on Saturday
Coast Guard helicopter located oil slick and life raft in less than two hours after EPIRB signal
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.