Two Dead, Three Rescued After Vessel Overturns Near Sitka, Alaska

The United States Coast Guard responded to a distress call regarding an overturned vessel near Sitka, Alaska on Tuesday evening. Tragically, two individuals were found dead inside the cabin, while three others were successfully rescued.

Coast Guard’s Swift Response

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter air crew from Air Station Sitka promptly arrived at the scene near Chichagof Island at 5:15 p.m. local time. They were able to recover the three survivors from the water by 5:50 p.m. The survivors were then transported to the Sitka airport, where they received immediate medical attention.

Discovery of the Deceased

Coast Guard Capt. Darwin Jensen, commander of Sector Southeast Alaska, sadly announced that the two missing individuals were found deceased in the cabin the following day. He expressed his condolences to the family members and thanked the Sitka Fire Department and other partner agencies for their assistance.

Coordinated Efforts

The Sitka Police Department alerted the Coast Guard watchstanders at the Sector Southeast Alaska command center about the overturned vessel at approximately 4:48 p.m. on Tuesday. In response, Coast Guard Cutters Douglas Denman and Kukui, along with an HC-130 from Air Station Kodiak, were dispatched to the scene. They tracked the drift of the vessel and conducted searches for other potential survivors. Air Station Sitka also conducted additional searches on Tuesday night and Wednesday mornings.

Ultimately, the missing individuals were located inside the vessel with the help of an unmanned underwater drone deployed by the Sitka Fire Department and Alaska Wildlife troopers.

Recovery Operations

The Coast Guard stated that recovery operations for the deceased will commence once on-scene conditions improve. At the time of the incident, the water temperature was approximately 44 degrees Fahrenheit, with an air temperature of 31 degrees Fahrenheit. The initial weather conditions included 8-10 knot winds and 9 ft. seas.