One dead, four missing after charter boat sinks near Sitka, Alaska

One person was killed while another four have gone missing after a charter fishing boat sank off Sitka, Alaska, on Sunday, May 28.

The incident occurred in the afternoon (local time) of Sunday when the unnamed 30-foot (nine-metre) vessel became partially submerged east of Shoals Point, Kruzof Island.

US Coast Guard personnel began their search Sunday evening after Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received a phone call from local operator Kingfisher Charters saying that a charter vessel with five people aboard was overdue.

Coast guard personnel later arrived at the scene and recovered one deceased individual from the surrounding waters.

The search for the boat’s four missing occupants was ordered suspended at around 21:30 on Monday, May 29. By that time, the search area had covered approximately 825 square miles (2,136 square kilometres) and involved both air and surface assets.

Coast guard pollution response teams coordinated with local response company Hansen’s Maritime to ensure preliminary pollution response measures were taken. Coast guard units are continuing to monitor the scene for evidence of pollution and determine further pollution response actions.