Coast Guard searches for 2 missing boaters near Wales, Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska – Coast Guard Airstation Kodiak aircrews are searching for a 23-year-old male and a 14-year-old male who launched their wooden row boat at approximately 2:00 a.m. in Wales, Alaska, Sunday.

An HC-130 Hercules airplane crew arrived on scene at 2:30 p.m. and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew is en route. The subjects were last seen wearing a black sweater and an orange jacket.

Coast Guard District 17 watchstanders received a request for assistance from the village of Wales reporting the subjects were underway with no life jackets or survival equipment and were heard yelling for help at approximately 2:30 a.m. Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and requested the launch of the aircrews.

The village volunteer search and rescue group did not find the boaters during a shoreline search.

"Coast Guard aircrews must often fly vast distances to respond to calls for aid in Alaska's remote regions," said Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Ayd, a District 17 command duty officer. "We greatly value the assistance and knowledge of local search and rescue responders." 

Weather on scene was reported as 33 degrees and 2-4-foot seas with 25-mph winds, light rain, mist and fog.