Two drown in Seward

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AKBEARGUIDE

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The seas that day were really confused, probably 4-5' swells coming out of the narrows. We were in our Sea Sport pilot and it was rough. We were fishing in 8' rollers, 10 miles east of the accident when we heard the "Pan Pan". By the time we arrived on scene the Helo was on approach to hover.
 
TriIron

TriIron

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My wife worked with one of the men who didn't make it. Very sad all around. Apparently it was the first trip in a new boat. Where did you hear that they hit a rock? Anyone know what type of boat this was?
 
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NRick

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A news report I heard said they were in an 18' skiff. If true, that doesn't seem near big enough for 4 guys to be out where they were.
 
Frostbitten

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TriIron said:
My wife worked with one of the men who didn't make it. Very sad all around. Apparently it was the first trip in a new boat. Where did you hear that they hit a rock? Anyone know what type of boat this was?
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Thats what I was told by the gentleman running the bait shack on Sunday morning, however I got a more accurate account from an aquaintence of one of the guys on the boat. Apparently the boat had taken on a substantial amount of water (unknown cause), and then capsized due to heavy seas. All four guys were clinging to the overturned hull until they were thrown from the boat as it was pounded onto some off shore rocks.
 
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gman_59

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Very bad day

Very bad day

I was the first on site and made the initial call to the Coast Guard for assistance. I also transported both survivors to Seward for medical care. Although this was a very bad day for all involved I was happy to witness all responders. It took maybe 10 minutes for several boats to show up and assist with the search and rescue operations. The two survivors sustained minor injuries, they were cold, in shock, and understandably very distraught over the loss of their friends. After spotting the survivors who were waving a buoy and red shirt we carefully approached and made contact with them. They advised us of the missing crew. We conducted a search for the missing men before taking them aboard our boat with the assistance of another vessel. We spotted the capsized boat near the shore and debris about 100 yards from their location. They, according to what they conveyed to me drifted about 3 hours before hitting a large rock near shore. They stated they had lost feeling in their legs because of the cold water. They lost sight of their friends after striking the rock, and stated they were on the cliff for 2-3 hours trying to flag someone down before we spotted them. Fellow boaters and fellow Alaskans I can't stress how important it is to have a plan for emergencies, How important it is for someone to take charge and direct actions to be taken. I, just like the morning of this incident always give a safety briefing to my passengers, I instruct them on the use of the radio, GPS, and safety gear to include life jackets, flares, ect. I was glad that I took part in the rescue of the two survivors, however I was distraught over the fact that two lives were lost. Please Be Safe "Farway"
 
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stormanman8

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gman_59 said:
I was the first on site and made the initial call to the Coast Guard for assistance. I also transported both survivors to Seward for medical care. Although this was a very bad day for all involved I was happy to witness all responders. It took maybe 10 minutes for several boats to show up and assist with the search and rescue operations. The two survivors sustained minor injuries, they were cold, in shock, and understandably very distraught over the loss of their friends. After spotting the survivors who were waving a buoy and red shirt we carefully approached and made contact with them. They advised us of the missing crew. We conducted a search for the missing men before taking them aboard our boat with the assistance of another vessel. We spotted the capsized boat near the shore and debris about 100 yards from their location. They, according to what they conveyed to me drifted about 3 hours before hitting a large rock near shore. They stated they had lost feeling in their legs because of the cold water. They lost sight of their friends after striking the rock, and stated they were on the cliff for 2-3 hours trying to flag someone down before we spotted them. Fellow boaters and fellow Alaskans I can't stress how important it is to have a plan for emergencies, How important it is for someone to take charge and direct actions to be taken. I, just like the morning of this incident always give a safety briefing to my passengers, I instruct them on the use of the radio, GPS, and safety gear to include life jackets, flares, ect. I was glad that I took part in the rescue of the two survivors, however I was distraught over the fact that two lives were lost. Please Be Safe "Farway"
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Very good advice! Alaska is so unforgiving it always pays to be prepared. So sad for the lost ones in the accident and there family's.
 
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BrownBear

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Pm is the way to handle such thing, but no need. It was idle curiosity on my part, and no need to dig deeper. Thanks.
 
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