ANCHORAGE, Alaska — According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a search is ongoing Sunday for five people who were aboard a fishing boat that reportedly capsized near Point Couverden, located at the western entrance of Lynn Canal southwest of Juneau.

Coast Guard vessels, as well as the Hubbard state ferry, are involved in the search after a Mayday call was heard at 0010 hrs from the crew aboard the 50-foot-long fishing vessel Wind Walker that stated the vessel was overturning, according to a Coast Guard press release at the bottom of this article.

“The watchstanders attempted to gather additional information but received no response,” the release states.

Shortly after 1330 Sunday, the Coast Guard posted an update on its social media pages declaring, “We are aware of reports on social media claiming individuals from this incident have been located. At this time, the CG has not confirmed these claims and is continuing search efforts.”
The Wind Walker registered home port is Sitka.

According to the Coast Guard, weather conditions on Sunday included heavy snow, winds up to 45-60 mph, and six-foot seas. The area is under a winter storm warning that is expected to last until Monday morning.
The Coast Guard issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Juneau to search the area, according to the release.

The Coast Guard reported that Hubbard, who had heard the emergency broadcast, was the first to arrive at the scene.

“Seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights have been located in the water in the search area,” the release states.

Anyone with information about the situation is asked to contact Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska at (907) 463-2980.

PRESS RELEASE:

The Coast Guard and Good Samaritans are searching Sunday for a reported five people from a fishing boat that reportedly capsized near Couverden Point, Alaska. 

Coast Guard watchstanders have received reports from individuals familiar with those aboard the vessel that indicate there were five people aboard. This number has not been confirmed and is subject to change pending new information. 

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska watchstanders received a mayday call at 12:10 a.m. on VHF channel 16 from the crew aboard the fishing vessel Wind Walker reporting they were overturning. The Wind Walker registered home port is Sitka.

The vessel was reported be approximately 50 feet long.

The watchstanders attempted to gather additional information but received no response.  

Coast Guard watchstanders also received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert that was registered to the vessel originating just south of Point Couverden in Icy Strait. 

Sector Southeast Alaska watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Juneau to search the area. 

The ferry vessel AMHS Hubbard overheard the broadcast and offered to assist, arriving on scene first. 

Seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights have been located in the water in the search area. 

Local weather conditions consist of heavy snow, winds up to 45-60 mph, and 6-foot seas.

Involved in the search are:  

• Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska 
• Coast Guard Air Station Sitka 
• Coast Guard Station Juneau 
• Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB-20) 
• AMHS Hubbard

Anyone with information about this situation should contact Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska at 907-463-2980.