A devastating event occurred off the coast of Alaska on Sunday when a charter fishing boat sank, taking one life and leaving four people unaccounted for.
The Sitka-based fishing charter company, Kingfisher Charters, alerted the Coast Guard to the missing vessel with its five passengers. The 30-foot aluminum boat was last seen near Sitka, an Alaskan city and borough near the state capital of Juneau.
The Coast Guard launched a search mission Sunday evening and, the following day, found the body of one man without a life vest. The boat was found submerged near Low Island, a mile east of Shoals Point on Kruzof Island.
The rescue teams searched an area of 825 square miles for over 20 hours using helicopters and boats, although the waves at the time reached heights of 6 to 11 feet. Despite the efforts of the Coast Guard and its partner agencies, the four missing individuals were not found, and the search was called off at 9:30 p.m. Monday.
The identities of the deceased and the missing persons have not yet been released. Kingfisher Charters provides all-inclusive fishing packages and guided trips on 30-foot power boats that accommodate up to six anglers.
The tragedy of the sunken charter boat in Alaska serves as a reminder of the dangers of the sea. The Coast Guard and other agencies worked hard to try and locate the missing individuals, but to no avail. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those affected during this challenging time.