One Dead, Four Presumed Lost In Sitka Saltwater Charter Fishing Boat Accident

Sad news out of Sitka. A saltwater fishing charter boat outing turned deadly, with one confirmed death and a search called off for four others in a tragic accident. Here’s ABC News with more:

Kingfisher Charters, a Sitka-based company that operates all-inclusive fishing trips, reported the missing vessel to the Coast Guard on Sunday evening. The boat was carrying four passengers and one guide when it sank, according to the Coast Guard.

The 30-foot aluminum vessel was last seen on Sunday afternoon near Kruzof Island, less than 10 miles from the small rocky island where the ship was found.

“Despite our best efforts and those of several partner agencies, we were not able to find the four remaining individuals, ” Coast Guard Captain Darwin Jensen said. “Suspending a search is never an easy decision. We extend our deepest sympathy to the loved ones during this difficult time.

Here’s the U.S. Coast Guard’s Facebook post on the tragedy:

The Coast Guard suspended its search at sunset Monday for four missing individuals in the water near Sitka, Alaska.

The Coast Guard recovered one deceased individual Sunday evening and located the vessel partially submerged off Low Island approximately 10 miles west of Sitka.

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

Watchstanders at Sector Juneau received a phone call Sunday evening from Kingfisher Charters reporting a 30-foot aluminum charter vessel overdue with five people aboard, including one master and four passengers.

The vessel was last seen underway Sunday afternoon.

Involved in the search were:

· Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center

· Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 helicopter aircrew

· Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircrew

· Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Sitka 38-foot Special Purpose Craft boat crew

· Sentinel-class fast response Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Denman

· Sitka Fire Department

· Several good Samaritan vessels

· Hanson Maritime

Anyone with information is requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Juneau at 907-463-2890.

Coast Guard crews searched a total of approximately 825 square miles over the course of more than 20 hours utilizing both air and vessel search crews.

“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.”