In a distressing incident off the Alaskan coast, a luxury charter fishing boat was missing and found partially sunk.
The accident resulted in the loss of one life and left four individuals missing.
Kingfisher Charters, a reputable fishing charter company based in Sitka, raised the alarm on Sunday, May 28, when a boat with five passengers failed to return to shore. The Coast Guard promptly initiated a search operation to find the missing craft.
On Monday, May 29, the lifeless body of a man who wasn’t wearing a life jacket was found. The charter boat, a 30-foot aluminum vessel, was located partially submerged near Low Island, approximately one mile east of Shoals Point on Kruzof Island. The boat’s last confirmed location was near Sitka, a city and borough not far from Juneau, Alaska’s capital.
The ill-fated boat had a master and four passengers aboard, as confirmed by the Coast Guard. Despite an extensive search that spanned more than 20 hours and covered nearly 825 square miles with the help of helicopters and boats, the search for the missing persons was suspended around 9:30 p.m. on Monday.
The search mission faced severe conditions, with waves ranging from six to 11 feet during the boat’s departure on Sunday, as per Petty Officer Gray.
Captain Darwin Jensen, the Port Captain in Southeast Alaska, expressed his profound regret over the cessation of the search. He offered his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and showed gratitude to the community partners and good Samaritan vessels involved in the operation.
Currently, the identities of the deceased and the four missing persons are not disclosed.
Kingfisher Charters is famous for its comprehensive fishing packages and guided trips on 30-foot power boats for up to six anglers.
