A 15-year-old boy has been rescued alive after spending days stranded on an overturned fishing skiff in Alaska’s Bering Sea, while his older brother and cousin died during the same family fishing trip.
The teenager, identified by relatives as Derek Parker Aghnaanga, was discovered sitting on top of the capsized 18-foot boat near St. Lawrence Island. He showed signs of hypothermia when rescuers reached him after days in cold, exposed conditions without food or drinking water.
Fishing trip from Savoonga ended in tragedy
Derek left St. Lawrence Island on Friday, September 4, with his older brother and cousin. The group was expected back by Sunday, but concern grew when their fishing skiff failed to return.
Derek’s mother, Vina Kulowiyi, said the boat capsized on Saturday, leaving the three relatives stranded in the Bering Sea. She said her surviving son spent about two days without food or water before being rescued.
The disappearance triggered a major search across the remote waters surrounding St. Lawrence Island.
Coast Guard found teen sitting on overturned boat
The U.S. Coast Guard’s corrected rescue report says an HC-130 Hercules aircrew spotted the 15-year-old sitting on top of the capsized vessel at approximately 10:30 a.m. Monday, around four miles east of St. Lawrence Island.
The crew dropped a life raft and survival equipment before coordinating with the Northwest Explorer, a nearby vessel able to assist. Flares were also deployed to help guide the vessel toward the overturned skiff.
The Northwest Explorer then pulled Derek to safety. He was experiencing symptoms of hypothermia and was given assistance to help warm him.
Brother and cousin did not survive
Captain Adam White, whose vessel helped rescue Derek, told local broadcaster KTUU that the teenager had endured darkness and water temperatures near 50°F, or about 10°C.
Despite chattering teeth, Derek was able to explain what had happened. White said the teenager reported that his brother remained beneath the overturned skiff, while his cousin had slipped away during the previous night.
The bodies of both relatives were recovered from the water. Derek’s older brother was identified by family members as Sidney Kulowiyi, 35.
Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District, offered condolences to the families, friends and communities affected by the deaths.
Remote waters made the rescue difficult
St. Lawrence Island lies in the Bering Sea off Alaska’s western coast, making emergency operations difficult because aircraft and rescue vessels may have to cover large distances in cold and changing conditions.
The challenges of maritime search operations were also seen in the Cyprus ferry capsize and search operation, where rescuers had to locate people after a vessel overturned in open water.
Remote rescues often depend on rapid coordination between search teams and nearby vessels. A similar challenge emerged when a mother and three children were rescued from Kaweka Forest Park after emergency crews worked across difficult terrain to reach them.
Punchbowl Shooting: Man Killed at Community Centre in Sydney
Alaska Plane Crash: Cessna 441 With 8 Aboard Crashes
Fishing is part of life in Savoonga
Derek’s family said the trip was not simply recreational. His mother explained that her sons were raised to fish and provide food for other families in their community, including people who may not always have easy access to meat at the local store.
Savoonga is a community of roughly 800 people on St. Lawrence Island and is predominantly home to Siberian Yupik residents. English and St. Lawrence Island Yupik are widely spoken, while hunting, fishing and sharing food remain important community traditions.
Kulowiyi said her sons had been raised to be providers and to share what they harvested with others.
Derek recovering at home after rescue
Derek’s mother said her surviving son is now recovering at home. She said he told the family he had not been afraid during the ordeal and had spent his time praying while waiting on the overturned skiff.
The Coast Guard ended its search after Derek was rescued and the two other boaters were recovered, leaving Savoonga celebrating one remarkable survival while mourning two lives lost.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
