One person is dead and four others remain missing after a charter boat sunk off the coast of Alaska on May 28, officials with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) confirmed.
Watchstanders at the Alaskan USCG unit Sector Juneau received a report Sunday evening that a 30-foot vessel from Kingfisher Charters had not returned by the expected time. The boat was reportedly carrying five people, including one master and four passengers, according to a press release from the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard is searching for four missing people who were last seen near Sitka, Sunday night.
Read the full press release here: https://t.co/8kNuKvZX6x pic.twitter.com/4fm7RvTBOf
— USCGAlaska (@USCGAlaska) May 29, 2023
Responding officials found the vessel partially submerged in the waters off the coast of Low Island approximately 10 miles west of Sitka. There, officials were able to recover the remains of one individual, the press release stated. (RELATED: Video Captures A Massive Luxury Yacht Being Swallowed By The Ocean)
After searching an area encompassing 825 square miles over the course of more than 20 hours by both sea and air, the USCG called off its search for the remaining missing individuals Monday night.
“Despite our best efforts and those of several partner agencies, we were not able to find the four remaining individuals,” Coast Guard Capt. Darwin Jensen stated in the press release. “Suspending a search is never an easy decision. We extend our deepest sympathy to the loved ones during this difficult time. Our sincere thanks to community partners and the good Samaritan vessels who rapidly responded to help in the search.”