The search has been suspended for a missing boater from a vessel that sank Thursday night in central Southeast.
The fishing vessel Tanya Faith, described as an aluminum drop bow landing craft that was used as recreational vessel, sank near Cape Ommaney at the southern tip of Baranof Island. Three people on board the vessel attempted to swim to shore using float coats or life jackets.
One survivor, identified as 46-year old Dennis Monroe of Montesano, Washington, was picked up from the beach by the F/V Otter on Friday morning. Monroe was taken to Sitka for possible medical treatment.
Coast Guard watchstanders said they only received a report of the sinking after they were notified of Monroe’s rescue on Friday.
The body of another missing boater was found by a Good Samitaritan vessel in open water about seven miles offshore due west from the southern tip of Baranof Island on Saturday afternoon. Identified as 44-year old John Reid, he was described as unresponsive and transported to Sitka by a Coast Guard H-60 helicopter. Troopers say his relatives have been notified.
Debris from the vessel was found, but not the third boater who was identified as Fred Swenson of Montesano, Washington.
The U.S. Coast Guard says searchers included H-60s from Sitka, a C-130 aircraft from Kodiak, and a Canadian Coast Guard DeHavilland Dash 8. A Civil Air Patrol aircraft and the USCG cutter Chandeleur also participated in multiple searches of the coast of Baranof Island that covered over 1200 square miles.
The trio was reportedly left Sitka on Thursday to fish for sockeye salmon in the Redfish Bay area.
According to Alaska State Troopers, the boat overshot the bay and they had to turn around. Rough waters swamped the drop bow style boat and caused it to sink.
