One man died and four went missing after a luxury charter fishing boat sank off the coast of Alaska on Sunday.
The Coast Guard launched a search for the missing group Sunday evening after receiving a call from Kingfisher Charters, a Sitka-based fishing charter company, that the boat with five people on board had not returned.
By Monday, authorities had recovered the body of a deceased man who was not wearing a life jacket, said Petty Officer Ian Gray.
Rescue teams found the ship partially submerged near Low Island, about a mile east of Shoals Point on Kurzov Island.
The 30-foot-long aluminum charter boat was last seen Sunday afternoon near Sitka, an Alaskan city and borough near Juneau, the state capital.
There were 4 passengers and 1 captain on board. The Coast Guard said in a statement.
The search for the four missing people was called off around 9:30 p.m. Monday.
The crew used helicopters and boats to search about 825 square miles to search for the group.
The search operation lasted more than 20 hours, according to the Coast Guard.
Gray said the area was being hit by huge waves between 6 and 11 feet high when it set sail on Sunday.
“Despite the best efforts of us and several partner agencies, we were unable to locate the remaining four,” said Capt. Darwin Jensen, captain of the Southeast Alaska Port.
“Cancelling the search is never an easy decision. Our hearts go out to our loved ones during this difficult time. To do.”
The person found dead and the four missing have not yet been announced.
Kingfisher Charters also offers all-inclusive fishing packages, as well as guided trips on 30-foot powerboats that can accommodate up to six anglers, according to the company’s website.
with post wire
