The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Sunday that it is actively searching for five individuals following the capsizing of a fishing boat off the coast of Juneau, Alaska. The vessel, known as the Wind Walker, issued a mayday signal just after midnight, reporting that it was in distress and going over. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard’s efforts to reach out to the crew for more information received no response.
The incident occurred near Point Couverden, situated southwest of Juneau. A ferry, the AMHS Hubbard, was the first to respond to the mayday call, arriving at the scene before the Coast Guard deployed an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a response boat.
In the search area, rescuers discovered seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights floating in the water. The challenging weather conditions have posed significant hurdles for the rescue teams, with heavy snow, strong winds reaching up to 60 mph, and waves around six feet high. The region is currently under a winter storm warning, indicating the severity of the situation.
According to information gathered by the Coast Guard, there were believed to be five people on board the Wind Walker at the time of the capsizing. This number is based on statements from individuals familiar with the crew. However, officials have not yet been able to confirm the exact count of those aboard.
The situation remains critical as the Coast Guard continues its search efforts.
