1 dead, 4 missing after charter boat sinks in Sitka, Alaska

One man died and four other people are missing after a luxury charter fishing boat sank off the coast of Alaska on Sunday.

The Coast Guard began searching for the missing group Sunday evening after receiving a call from Kingfisher Charters, a Sitka-based fishing charter company, reporting that a boat with five people onboard had not returned.

By Monday, officials recovered the body of one deceased man, who was not wearing a life vest, Petty Officer Ian Gray said.

Rescue teams found the vessel partially submerged near Low Island, about a mile east of Shoals Point, Kruzof Island.

The 30-foot aluminum charter boat had last been seen Sunday afternoon near Sitka, an Alaskan city and borough near Juneau, the state capital.

There were four passengers and one master aboard the ship, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The search for the four missing individuals was suspended at approximately 9:30 p.m. Monday.

Crews scoured approximately 825 square miles using helicopters and boats in search of the group.

The search mission lasted over 20 hours, according to the Coast Guard.

At the time the ship set out on Sunday, the region was experiencing massive six-foot to 11-foot waves, according to Gray.

“Despite our best efforts and those of several partner agencies, we were not able to find the four remaining individuals, ” said Capt. Darwin Jensen, Captain of the Port Southeast Alaska.

“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.” 

The person who was found dead and the four missing individuals have not yet been publicly identified.

Kingfisher Charters offers all-inclusive fishing packages as well as guided trips on 30-foot power boats that can carry up to six fishers, according to the company website.

With Post wires