USA · updated 1h ago · 2 min read
U.S. Coast Guard Rescues 15-Year-Old After Fishing Boat Capsizes Near Alaska’s St. Lawrence Island
15-year-old survived days atop overturned 18-foot fishing boat in frigid Bering Sea near St. Lawrence. Two others—his brother and cousin—died after the capsizing.
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Capsize Off St. Lawrence
A 15-year-old boy survived for days after an 18-foot fishing boat capsized in the Bering Sea near Alaska’s St. Lawrence Island, and the U.S. Coast Guard said he was rescued by a fishing vessel this week.
“Two teens died and a 15-year-old boy was rescued after an 18-foot boat capsized”
The Coast Guard said the boat departed St. Lawrence Island on Friday and was expected to return early Sunday, but it was reported overdue Sunday night and the search began Monday after Alaska State Troopers notified the Coast Guard.
WKRC reported that two teens died after the capsized boat during a family fishing trip, while the Coast Guard said the survivor was found Monday sitting atop the overturned boat and treated for hypothermia.
The Guardian said the group was last seen leaving Alaska’s St Lawrence Island in an 18ft fishing vessel on Friday and that an aircrew found the sole survivor on top of the overturned vessel on Monday afternoon.
Rescue Details and Quotes
ABC News reported that Lt. Cmdr. Jonathon Resch called the rescue an "emotional roller coaster" and said, "We are beyond excited and beyond grateful that we found him," while also saying the Coast Guard was "overwhelmingly remorseful" about not finding the other two in time.
The Coast Guard said it coordinated the rescue with the nearby good Samaritan vessel Northwest Explorer, and Global News quoted the Coast Guard describing how an HC-130 Hercules aircrew located the survivor clinging to the capsized vessel at approximately 3 p.m.
Newser said the 15-year-old was identified by family as Parker and that Coast Guard aircraft dropped flares to guide the nearby research ship Northwest Explorer, whose crew spotted him about eight miles from his last known position.
Captain Adam White told NBC News that the crew was "lucky enough, because the kid was so tough, so strong that that he was able to grab a hold of a heaving line that we threw to him," and White said Parker was "moderately" hypothermic when rescued.
Aftermath and Ongoing Search
The Coast Guard said it concluded its search efforts on Monday following the rescue of the one survivor and the recovery of two deceased from the water near St. Lawrence Island, and it said the two deceased were transported to Nome along with the survivor.
“concluded its search efforts for the three missing boaters on Monday”
FOX Weather reported that the teen was taken to Nome, Alaska, after being rescued in frigid waters off St. Lawrence Island near the U.S.-Russia maritime border, and it said the teen was experiencing hypothermia.
The New York Times reported that the ordeal began Friday morning when the teenager, Derek Parker Aghnaanga, set sail with his older brother, Sidney Kulowiyi, 35, to catch halibut, and it said authorities in the family’s village alerted Alaska State Troopers when the skiff did not emerge.
The Guardian quoted R Adm Bob Little saying, "We are grateful for the incredible efforts of the motor vessel Northwest Explorer; federal, state, village first responders; and mission partners" and said the bodies of the two victims were recovered, according to the coast guard.