1 dead, 4 missing after fishing charter boat sinks near Sitka, Alaska

SITKA, Alaska — The Coast Guard was searching Monday for four people who went missing after a fishing charter vessel was found partially submerged near Sitka.

Coast Guard vessels began searching Sunday night after receiving a call from Kingfisher Charters, a Sitka-based fishing charter company, reporting that a boat was overdue with five people onboard, said Petty Officer Ian Gray.

Searchers located the vessel partially submerged near Low Island, 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) east of Shoals Point, Kruzof Island, Gray said. The vessel was last seen Sunday afternoon near Sitka.

The Coast Guard recovered one deceased man, who was not wearing a life vest, Gray said. The region was experiencing 6-foot (1.8-meter) to 11-foot (3.35-meter) seas on Sunday, he said.

A message left at Kingfisher Charters was not immediately returned.

“There are currently so many unknowns. We are thankful for the coordination efforts from several municipal agencies including the Sitka Fire Department and Good Samaritan vessels on scene,” said Lt. Trevor Layman, Command Duty Officer. “We’re working quickly to locate the unaccounted-for individuals.”