The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday that a 15-year-old was the only person found alive after three boaters were reported missing earlier this week in Alaska waters.
Search-and-rescue crews located the teen Monday off the Alaska coast, where he was discovered holding onto an overturned skiff. Officials said he was in urgent need of medical attention when rescuers reached him.
According to the Coast Guard, the survivor was pulled from the capsized boat while showing signs of hypothermia.
FILE — The teen was rescued after being found clinging to the overturned skiff and suffering symptoms consistent with hypothermia. (Alvaro Ballesteros/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Authorities said the two other mariners were later found dead after their 18-foot fishing vessel capsized roughly 4 miles east of St. Lawrence Island.
The Coast Guard said crews initiated a search mission early Monday after Alaska State Troopers notified the Coast Guard of an overdue boat Sunday evening. The vessel was expected to return Sunday at 3 a.m.
Officials said crews were unable to launch a rescue mission until Monday morning due to weather and poor visibility.
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FILE — A good Samaritan vessel helped rescue the teen and recover the bodies of the two deceased mariners off the coast of Alaska. (Nathan Klima for The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
After launching an aircrew, personnel spotted the survivor and deployed a raft with survival equipment.
Officials said a good Samaritan vessel also stepped in, rescuing the 15-year-old survivor and recovering the bodies of the two deceased mariners from the water.
FILE — The Coast Guard began searching after Alaska State Troopers reported the fishing vessel was overdue to return Sunday evening. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer David Mosley)
The two mariners and the teen survivor were then brought to Nome, Alaska, officials said.