Been chewing on this one since last Saturday's fishless fishing trip trying to decide whether to post it or not so here goes.
Was underway at first light from Shilshole to Scatchet Head and all was well till about a mile or two south of my intended destination when we spot a low dark shape ahead and to our left. As we got closer it turned out to be an all black boat about 15 or 16' not moving and out in the middle of the shipping lane. No rods out and no one observed on board. Decided to investigate what appeared to be a possible vessel adrift in case we needed to call it in. As we approached could make out an orange color which at distance appeared to maybe someone slumped over in a life jacket. As we circled we saw that it was in fact a distress panel stretched across the windshield. Cautiously approached and still no sign of life but noticed the cover off the outboard but no one apparently on board. Finally came alongside fearing we might be calling in something more than a boat adrift . As we are trying to look into the boat and discussing what to do next a guy all of a sudden pops up from his position where he had been curled up under the dashboard. The guy looked groggy or a little dazed and a bit dis-oriented. Talking to him to find out if he was okay or not he seemed to come around a bit but still not know where he was. We explained his position and asked where he came from. Finally said he came he came out from Eglon the evening before and had broken down. He had used up his flares and nobody stopped for him. He had no cell phone, radios, or a kicker motor so he had spent the night out there drifting back and forth on the tide. We offered a tow which he accepted and my partner got him rigged while I dug out a chart and then referenced the GPS to steer a course. (I knew roughly where Eglon was but not exactly so the GPS was a real help.) Turned out he was due east of Eglon ramp after washing back and forth all night. Towed him in without further incident except for a few small rock nicks to the prop and he was able to wade (2' or so of water at that point) and pull the boat the last 10 or so yards to shore.

Lessons from this?
If possible, have an aux motor (kicker) if going out on the sound.
Have a fully charged cell phone with the USCG number programed in.
Have a working VHF radio and if a handheld, a full charge and spares battery.
Have plenty of flares (most kits only come with 3 plus a white practice flare) and use these in low light or dark conditions.
Have orange smoke for daylight hours.
Have close at hand the best PFD you can get and if in trouble you can wave over your head as a distress signal. If things start to look like they could get hairy put it on.
Have a good handheld spotlight to signal or get attention with.

If you come across a distress signal or someone obviously in distress do respond to it even if you only are comfortable calling it in. Do be cautious if you decide to approach an unknown situation as it is just that. An unknown situation. Could be a bad guy, person or persons on board could be panicked and irrational, whatever. The coast guard can arrange assistance though unless it is a life threatening situation it likely won't be the coast guard that will actually assist.

That guy in the above described situation could easily have gone into full blown hypothermia or been run over by a freighter in the dark out there.

I don't usually post a lot and certainly not this kind of thread but just kind of hoped it might be a help for someone. I'm certainly no expert on all this and don't presume to be so if anyone has corrections, additions, etc. Feel free to add on whatever you have. Stay safe and have fun.

Thanks for stopping and helping.

No problem it was what to do. Besides we figured (wrongly) that having done a "good deed" the fish gods would bless with a couple of nice silver slabs to bring home.