Coast Guard Searches for Missing Fishermen After Boat Capsizes Off Alaska's Coast
A tense and dangerous search is currently underway in southeastern Alaska after a fishing boat capsized amid harsh weather conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard is working tirelessly to locate five people who were reportedly on board the Wind Walker, a 50-foot fishing vessel. The crew of the Wind Walker sent out a distress signal, a mayday call, at around 12:10 a.m. on Sunday, notifying authorities that the boat was overturning in the rough seas near Point Couverden, just southwest of Juneau, Alaska's capital.
Also Read:- XRP Soars to Third-Largest Crypto After Trump’s Victory, Surpassing Tether and Solana
- Travis Kelce Faces Public Pressure to Propose to Taylor Swift After Josh Allen's Engagement
The Coast Guard immediately sprang into action, but efforts to reach the crew for additional details were unsuccessful, as they failed to respond. Shortly after, the AMHS Hubbard ferry, which had overheard the mayday call, arrived on the scene, marking the first response from the public in the search operation. The Coast Guard also deployed an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot response boat to assist in the mission. While searching the waters, the responders discovered key evidence of the boat’s capsizing, including seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights, all floating in the search area.
The area where the incident occurred is experiencing extreme weather conditions, making the search even more challenging. The Coast Guard and other responders are dealing with powerful winds, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph, along with six-foot seas and heavy snow. These conditions are further compounded by low visibility, which could reduce sight to less than a mile. A winter storm warning is currently in effect for the region, which could see up to 8 inches of additional snowfall before the storm eases.
As the search continues, there remains no confirmed information about the exact number of people aboard the Wind Walker. While witnesses suggest there were five individuals on the vessel, the Coast Guard has not yet verified this figure. In the midst of these difficult conditions, both air and sea teams are working around the clock, hoping for a breakthrough in locating the missing individuals. With each passing hour, the situation grows more urgent as rescuers navigate the hazardous elements in hopes of bringing those lost to safety.
Read More:
0 Comments