Coast Guard says deck flooding likely caused deadly 2023 capsize near Sitka

A U.S. Coast Guard marine casualty investigation into the capsizing of a charter fishing boat and the death of all five aboard on May 28, 2023, near Sitka has determined that the Awakin likely capsized after its well deck flooded in rough seas.

The investigators cited the skipper’s decision to steer close to Low Island as a precipitating factor in the sinking. They also took note that the boat had no life raft or automatic emergency beacon.

The first alert about the emergency was a call to the Coast Guard from the Kingfisher Lodge reporting one of its charter boats was late returning. Emergenc...

 

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