Coast Guard suspends search for 5 missing after fishing boat capsizes in Southeast Alaska
Dec. 2—The U.S. Coast Guard on Monday morning suspended the search for survivors from a Sitka-based commercial fishing boat that capsized early Sunday morning with five people aboard.
The Coast Guard said the search for the 52-foot Wind Walker continued for nearly 24 hours and covered more than 108 square nautical miles.
The boat's crew issued a mayday call at 12:07 a.m. Sunday "reporting they were overturning," the Coast Guard said. Watchstanders in Juneau received no additional response, they said, but the boat's emergency beacon signal was located near Point Couverden in Icy Strait, southwest of Juneau.
On Sunday, the Coast Guard said searchers had located seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights but no signs of any of the people aboard the vessel.
Coast Guard officials said in a statement midday Monday that the search was suspended pending any new information.
"We stand in sorrow and solidarity with the friends and family of the people we were not able to find over the past 24 hours," Chief Warrant Officer James Koon, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska, said in the statement. "I am deeply grateful for the swiftness of our crews and other search assets who came together to amplify our efforts and completely saturate our search areas. Our collective hearts are with the friends and families of the who are experiencing the effects from this loss."
State officials say an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry carrying more than 100 passengers diverted to the boat's last known location. The ferry Hubbard, carrying about two dozen crew members and 110 passengers, was making the run from Tenakee Springs, Angoon and Kake back to Juneau when the call came, according to Sam Dapcevich, a state transportation department spokesman.
"They heard a brief emergency mayday call from the Wind Walker that the boat was capsizing and they were attempting to get into a life raft," he said. "No further transmissions were heard."
Tamara Jack, a passenger on the ferry, said the captain announced the vessel was diverting to the mayday call just after leaving Tenakee Springs. The passengers all gathered together, Jack said in a message. "Even if we didn't know everyone, we formed a circle, held hands and prayed."
Many passengers stood at the ice-coated windows keeping an eye out, she said.
Jack, who was coming from Kake, said the ferry's crew took turns standing watch outside due to the rough weather as the boat's horn blared.
The ferry's captain described 50 knot winds out of the north, driving snow, freezing spray and 6- to 8-foot waves, Dapcevich said. "The captain told me it was almost zero visibility."
He said the Hubbard could see the Wind Walker's location on a vessel-tracking system, but lost that signal at 12:18 a.m. — just over 10 minutes after the initial mayday call. They notified the Coast Guard of the position.
The ferry got to the area and started a grid search at about 1 a.m. under Coast Guard coordination, Dapcevich said.
The Hubbard stayed in position until it was released at 10 a.m., he said, adding that the ferry captain praised the crew's professionalism in difficult conditions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
5 hours ago
- Axios
Survivors of Sapelo Island gangway collapse sue over structure's failure
Survivors and family members of victims in last year's gangway collapse on southeast Georgia's Sapelo Island have filed a lawsuit against the companies responsible for the structure's construction. Why it matters: Seven people died when the dock gangway failed last October during the annual Sapelo Cultural Day, which celebrates Gullah Geechee people and their heritage. Driving the news: The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Gwinnett County State Court against Stevens & Wilkerson Inc., Centennial Contractors Enterprises Inc., EMC Engineering Services Inc., and Crescent Equipment Co. Inc. Attorney Ben Crump and his co-counsel held a press conference Wednesday with people who survived the collapse and family members of those who died. Attorneys for the defendants were not listed in the Gwinnett County court system's online portal. What they're saying: Crump, who spoke at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park on Auburn Avenue, said they're suing "because this tragedy was totally preventable." "These seven people did not have to die on the Sapelo Island gangway dock if people would have put safety over money," he said. Catch up quick: The gangway at Marsh Landing Dock on Sapelo Island collapsed around 3:50pm Oct. 19, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. About 20 people fell into the water. The seven who died were Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75; Cynthia Gibbs, 74; Carlotta McIntosh, 93; and Isaiah Thomas, 79, all of Jacksonville, Florida.; Atlanta residents Queen Welch, 76, and 73-year-old William Johnson Jr.; and Charles L. Houston, 77, of Darien. The intrigue: Years before the collapse, DNR officials expressed concerns about the gangway's structure, AJC reported, which was similar to one that collapsed in September 2022 in the southeast Georgia city of St. Mary's. Both gangways had been constructed by the same company, Crescent Equipment Co. The other side: Carrie González, a spokesperson for SSOE Group, an architect and engineering firm that owns Atlanta-based Stevens & Wilkinson, said in a statement the company can't comment on the litigation but is cooperating with the investigation. Survivor Regina Brinson said during Wednesday's press conference she struggles with guilt and nightmares, has trouble sleeping and has sought therapy. She and her uncle were helping another woman, who also died in the incident, cross the gangway when she heard a loud crack and suddenly dropped into the water. Brinson tried to rescue her uncle, but she said he was pulling her underwater. She said she made the painful decision to release her uncle's grip on her so she could make it to the surface.
Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Grazing goats provide low-tech solution to Toronto park's invasive plant problem
TORONTO - Dozens of goats have returned to a Toronto park to munch on invasive and woody plants as part of an eco-friendly city project. After a successful pilot last summer, a herd of 50 goats is grazing a new section of the Don Valley Brick Works Park meadow over two days this week. 'The goats are good at invasive species management, reduction of woody encroachment, they improve soil quality and are really just an overall benefit to the meadow,' said Cheryl Post, project manager and a natural environment specialist with the city. Post said she hopes to build off last year's positive results, with the goats mainly targeting invasive plants while allowing native species to grow. 'Although that will take some years to see how it goes, we've been noticing some really obvious and immediate impacts to the invasive species, which is great,' she said. King City-based company Goats in the City provided the goats that are bred specifically for prescribed grazing projects, and are even trained to interact with visitors. 'What we really do at Goats in the City is to observe goats, know what they prefer, know what they like, and then apply that to the kind of plants that we want to get rid of,' company president Ian Matthews said. 'We're basically just using them for what they instinctively would be doing anyway.' The goats also drew visitors to the park as it offered educational tours about the animals' strategic grazing. Among them was Kevork Hacatoglu, who came on Wednesday to learn about eco-friendly ways of maintaining the city. 'It is a way of reducing the impact on the environment,' he said. 'It's a more circular way of maintaining the park and sensitive ecosystems. The more solutions like this, the better.' Plant regrowth and other results of the project will be monitored over multiple years in partnership with the Toronto Field Naturalists. If all goes well, city staff say the project will continue in the coming years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Once you met Jack you couldn't forget him' - Tributes paid to Cumbrian teen
TRIBUTES have been paid to a West Cumbrian teen who shone a light into the lives of everyone he met. Jack Ellis, 17, faced a lifetime of challenges, starting at three weeks old when he overcame meningitis for the first time. Later he learned to walk again and to write left-handed after losing his mobility and the dexterity in his right hand. But a medical episode last month proved too much and Jack died peacefully on May 22 after a stroke. Jack Ellis 'shone a light into the lives of everyone he met' (Image: Submitted) Jack grew up in Workington with foster carers Gavin and Susan Beach and their daughter Laura, who he called his mum, dad and sister. Over the years he had many hospital stays due to illnesses and surgery, living with physical and learning disabilities. He fought back at every turn, surprising those around him with his learning ability and impressive memory. Jack never forgot a name or face and if he spotted someone he knew while out and about he could be sure to greet them loudly, using their full name, then chat for as long as he could before they had to leave. A fan of games shows and music, Jack loved to perform to an audience. Gavin said: 'Jack shone a light into the lives of everyone he met. 'He had an insatiable thirst for meeting people and finding out about them, and for telling jokes. 'Once you met Jack you couldn't forget him.' Susan added: 'They broke the mould when they made Jack.' Jack Ellis, 17, faced a lifetime of challenges but fought back at every turn (Image: Submitted) Birth dad Martin Goth recalled how Jack would sing songs during video calls and play along on the guitar he received at Christmas. He added: 'A call with Jack would just lift me up and make me smile.' Jack attended Victoria Infant and Junior schools before moving to Mayfield School in Whitehaven, and enjoyed outreach activities and short breaks with West House. In summer 2023 he moved to Underley Garden School in Kirkby Lonsdale to develop his independence skills as he moved towards adulthood. Stephen Chambers, who worked with Jack in his role as assistant head at Mayfield School, recalled the youngster being 'full of energy and relentless spirit'. He said: 'He enriched my life in the time I knew him and I know many others will say the same. 'In the short time he was here, Jack showered the world with joy, laughter and love and will never be forgotten.' Among those who spent time with Jack in hospital were his birth mum Stacey Ellis and sister Jodie, who expressed their love for him. Jack's funeral will be held at Distington crematorium on Thursday, June 12 at 1.15pm. Donations can be made via Hobans Funeral Services to hydrocephalus charity Shine and the Great North Air Ambulance.
