A “loving” Texas couple and their two young sons are believed to be dead after the boat they were in capsized and sank in 51-degree waters off a remote Alaska coast.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it received a report around 7 p.m. Saturday that a 28-foot aluminum boat with eight people on board had sent out an emergency distress signal, saying the boat was beginning to take on water and that rescue was urgently needed. Anchorage Daily News.
The Coast Guard quickly sent out a radio broadcast to other vessels in the area to assist with the rescue effort, about 16 miles off the coast of Homer, Alaska, Coast Guard spokesman Travis McGehee told the outlet.
Mr McGehee said the Salty Sea responded to the call before rescuers reached the sunken ship and rescued four people who had been stranded in a life raft in the frigid waters.
The four people rescued are believed to be safe and no one was injured.
Sadly, Mary and David Maynard and their two young sons, 11-year-old Colton and 7-year-old Brantley, remain missing.
Family friend Stetson Chase statement Writing on Facebook Monday on behalf of Mary Maynard’s parents, the Troy, Texas, family confirmed they were on board the vessel when it sank and have yet to be found.
“Mary, her husband, and two sons were lost last night when their boat capsized off the coast of Alaska,” Stetson wrote. “I can assure many of you that they were a wonderful, caring, loving family, and one that deserved to be brought home.”
The Coast Guard immediately began a search and rescue operation for the missing family members using helicopters, planes, cutters, and two other vessels, and enlisted the assistance of the Alaska Wildlife Patrol and Good Samaritan boats to search the area surrounding the sinking site.
The search operation was eventually called off around 6pm on Sunday.
“The decision to call off a search and rescue is a very difficult one,” said Coast Guard Petty Officer Shannon Carney. KCEN TV.
“Any case that’s suspended is simply suspended until new information comes forward. If anything comes to light, if we get any new information, we’re happy to go out and continue the search. Our hearts are with the grieving families right now.”
In the days before he went missing, David Maynard shared photos of Alaskan landscapes and a bear he spotted with his family in nature in his final Facebook post before he went missing.
“After 4 days in Alaska I finally got to see my first bear!!!! Pictures can never express how beautiful this place truly is!!!!!,” the missing father captioned his final post.
Mary Maynard, 37, was a traveling nurse and David Maynard, 42, stayed home with their children and ran a lawn care business.
Family friend Christy Wells told The Associated Press that both sons played soccer and baseball.
The Maynards enjoyed spending time with friends and relatives and traveling, she added.
“It was a great moment for him,” said Cassandra Martin, a longtime friend of the Maynards. South Korea She is devastated by the news of what has happened to her loved ones.
“[It’s] “I can’t believe this is real,” a heartbroken Martine said.[Mary] Her husband and sons are all truly beloved members of our community.”
