Update 3 and final: Coast Guard suspends search for fishing vessel near St. George, Alaska

News Release

Feb. 13, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska Contact: Petty Officer 3rd Class Lauren Steenson  (907) 321-4505

JUNEAU, Alaska — Update 3 and final: Coast Guard suspends search for fishing vessel near St. George, Alaska

The Coast Guard has suspended the search for the crew of the fishing vessel Destination northwest of St. George, Alaska, Monday afternoon.

Watchstanders from Coast Guard 17th District received an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon alert from F/V Destination early Saturday morning and deployed the Kodiak aircrews to commence the search.

The aircrews located a debris field in the general area of the EPIRB alert. Debris included the transmitting EPIRB, a life ring from the vessel, buoys, tarps and an oil sheen.

The search continued through Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the six crewmembers during this extremely difficult time,” said Rear Adm. Michael McAllister, Coast Guard 17th District commander. “The decision to suspend a search is always difficult and is made with great care and consideration.”

The watchstanders at the 17th District Command Center in Juneau coordinated 21 searches, totaling more than 69 aircraft and surface hours and covering approximately 5,730 square nautical miles.

“I’d like to thank the volunteers on St. George Island who conducted shoreline searches and the crewmembers of the fishing vessels Bering Rose and Silver Spray for helping with the search efforts,” McAllister said.

Assets involved in the search for the six mariners aboard the Destination included two HC-130 Hercules airplanes, two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters and one MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak; Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, a 378-foot high endurance cutter homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii; and around-the-clock watchstanders in the 17th District command center coordinating the search and communications.

The crews of the fishing vessels Silver Spray and Bering Rose, assisted in the search. The community of St. George also assembled a search party both days to patrol the shoreline for any signs of the crew or vessel.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

To view past updates, click the links below.

Initial press release

Update 1

Update 2

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