Search suspended for 5 missing in capsized fishing boat in Alaska
The U.S. Coast Guard is suspending its search for five people who went missing after a fishing boat capsized near Point Couverden, Alaska, it said Monday.
The search, which went on for nearly 24 hours, covered more than 108 square nautical miles, the Coast Guard said.
“We stand in sorrow and solidarity with the friends and family of the people we were not able to find over the past 24 hours,” said a spokesperson for the Coast Guard.
“I am deeply grateful for the swiftness of our crews and other search assets who came together to amplify our efforts and completely saturate our search areas," they said.
On Sunday, the Coast Guard said a 50-foot fishing boat, named Wind Walker, had sent out a mayday call at 12:10 a.m.
The AMHS Hubbard overheard the broadcast and offered to assist, arriving on the scene first.
Evidence of the boat was discovered, indicating a capsize, the Coast Guard said.
Seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights were located in the water within the immediate search area.
But there has been no sign yet of those who were onboard.
Good Samaritans operating the ferry vessel have continued to aid the Coast Guard in its search efforts.
The Coast Guard said that it also received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert that was registered to the vessel. The signal originated just south of Point Couverden in the Icy Strait.
People familiar with those aboard told officials that there were five people on the Wind Walker, though officials said at the time the number was unconfirmed.
The search took place amid heavy snow and high winds.
It included both water and air-based missions, the latter of which was led by a helicopter search team.
Winds reached up to 60 mph in the area, while sea swells reached 6 feet.
The Coast Guard said they had been searching in "very rough conditions."
"Our collective hearts are with the friends and families of the who are experiencing the effects from this loss," the Coast Guard said on Monday, after suspending its search.
