15-Year-Old Survives Two Days Atop a Capsized Boat in Alaska
A dramatic rescue unfolded in the cold waters off the coast of Alaska last week. Read on for the details of this miracle.
Teen Boy Survives Overturned Boat in Frigid Waters of the Bering Sea
A 15-year-old survived for over two days by sitting atop a capsized fishing boat in the frigid waters of the Bering Sea. Unfortunately, while he was eventually rescued, his older brother and cousin lost their lives.
The boys set sail from the Alaska Native village of Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island on Friday, September 4. The trio was aboard an 18-foot skiff headed out for a halibut fishing trip. According to the Anchorage Daily News, the boaters were expected to return early Sunday morning.
The expedition ran into trouble when a fishing line became tangled up in the boat's motor. The motor went dead as the boat floated through the icy waters.
Family spokesperson Darren Toolie-Noongwook told Alaska’s News Source that the skiff overturned when the weather began to deteriorate. Toolie-Noongwook detailed that the 15-year-old survived waves crashing over the overturned boat throughout the night. The teen knelt and prayed as the water temperatures fell into the mid 40s.
How the Rescue Unfolded
The Anchorage Daily News confirmed that the state's troopers were alerted on Sunday afternoon that the boat had not returned as planned. The U.S. Coast Guard was informed about the missing watercraft on Sunday night; however, they were not able to deploy a search and rescue aircraft until Monday morning because of the weather.
A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew spotted the teen sitting on the overturned skiff at about 10:30 am on Monday. The boat was floating roughly four miles east of St. Lawrence Island. The crew dropped a life raft and survival equipment into the water and then deployed a Northwest Explorer.
The Coast Guard was forced to leave the scene to refuel, but dropped flares into the water to serve as a guide for the Northwest Explorer crew to find the teen. It took the rescue team about four hours to reach the overturned skiff and the stranded boy.
The teen was immediately treated for symptoms of hypothermia before being transported to Nome for further evaluation. He is now home and recovering from both the physical and emotional trauma.
The rescue involved several agencies, including two Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft, two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, and Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel. Coast Guard Arctic District Commander Rear Adm. Bob Little said that “Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and communities affected by the tragic loss."
Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.