Heavy weather causes fishing boat to capsize in Alaska: 5 missing

A fishing boat capsized in heavy weather early Sunday morning off Point Couverden, Alaska, near Hoonah with an estimated five people on board, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. While rescue workers and locals continued to search throughout Monday, no one was found.

Weather conditions in the area are adverse: heavy snow, winds up to 45-60 miles per hour and swells of 6 feet.

The 50-foot vessel Wind Walker issued a distress call around 12:10 a.m. Dec. 1 reporting that the boat was overturning. Coast Guard personnel attempted to gather further information but received no further response.

Based on reports from people familiar with the ship, the Coast Guard believes there were five people on board at the time, but they cannot be certain. According to the Coast Guard, seven empty cold-water diving suits and two flashing lights were found in the search area – a grim sign.

“This number (of people on board) has not been confirmed and is subject to change pending new information,” the Coast Guard said in a statement. “Coast Guard watchers also received a distress call with a radio beacon indicating the position of the vessel, which took off just south of Point Couverden in the Icy Strait.

“Sector Southeast Alaska observers issued an urgent naval briefing and ordered the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and a 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Juneau to search the area.”

The AMHA Hubbard ferry was the first to hear the Mayday broadcast and was there before anyone else to help.

Posts began circulating on social media on Sunday saying some crew members had been found, but officials said none of those reports had been confirmed. The agency said it was “aware of reports on social media that individuals involved in this incident have been located. At this time, the (Coast Guard) has not confirmed these claims and is continuing its search efforts.”

Corporal John Hightower recounted it Alaska’s News Source that the search parties used the Coast Guard Cutter Healy – the largest and most technologically advanced polar icebreaker in the United States – as the main search platform.

READ MORE – Trout Fishing in Alaska: A Do-It-Yourself Guide