Multiple people are missing after a fishing boat capsized near Point Couverden, southwest of Alaska’s capital of Juneau. The U.S. Coast Guard received a mayday call early Sunday morning from the fishing vessel Wind Walker, reporting that they were overturning. While the exact number of people on board is not confirmed, it is estimated that there were five individuals. An emergency position-indicating radio beacon registered to the vessel was activated, and search efforts were launched.
Despite rough weather conditions, including heavy snow, strong winds, and high seas, the Coast Guard deployed helicopters and boats to search the area. The ferry vessel AMHS also responded to the distress call. Seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights were found in the water during the search. The Coast Guard utilized the Coast Guard Cutter Healy as the main search platform.
As reports surfaced on social media claiming that individuals from the incident had been located, the Coast Guard emphasized that these claims were not yet confirmed, and search efforts were ongoing. Point Couverden is situated on Couverden Island in Haines Borough, Alaska. The search for the missing individuals continued amidst challenging conditions, with hope of finding survivors from the capsized fishing boat.
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