A 15-year-old boy from Alaska is recovering after surviving days at sea clinging to an overturned fishing skiff near St. Lawrence Island. He had been halibut fishing over the weekend with his older brother, who served as the boat’s captain, and their cousin. When the skiff flipped, the brother became trapped beneath the vessel and did not survive. The cousin remained with the teen for about a day before passing as well.
The teen was found Monday by the crew of the Northwest Explorer, a research vessel carrying NOAA scientists. He had spent days without food or water in roughly 10-degree-Celsius water, holding onto the hull. Crew members brought him aboard, kept him talking, warmed him up, and returned him to shore. The captain described him as one tough kid, and it’s hard to argue.
If you boat or fish anywhere near the Suncoast, this story is a gut check. Water here may be warmer, but rip currents, storms, and exhaustion don’t ask permission. Life jackets and telling someone your float plan are the difference between a close call and a tragedy. A GoFundMe has been set up to support the teen and cover funeral expenses for his brother and cousin. Have you thought about what your own water safety plan looks like this season?
