15-Year-Old Survives Capsized Alaska Fishing Boat as Two Adults Die
A 15-year-old survivor was found clinging to the overturned 18‑foot fishing boat off Alaska after departing Savoonga on Sept. 4 with two adult relatives. The vessel did not return by Sept. 6, sparking a search that continued with weather delays. On Sept. 7, the Coast Guard and a nearby good‑Samaritan vessel, Northwest Explorer, located the boat about 4 miles east of St. Lawrence Island and rescued the boy, who was hypothermic. Two men, Sidney Kulowiyi, 35, and Barton Rookok, 34, both from Savoonga, were found unresponsive and later identified as the deceased, while the teen was brought to Nome. The water was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit at the time, and search efforts involved helicopters and multiple responders.”,