A 15-year-old Alaska boy was rescued after surviving nearly two days atop an overturned fishing skiff in the frigid Bering Sea. Derek Parker Aghnaanga was found near St. Lawrence Island after disappearing during a fishing trip with his older brother and cousin. Rescuers recovered the bodies of both relatives, while the teenager was treated for symptoms of hypothermia and taken to Nome.
| 1) | Teenager found after prolonged exposure |
|---|---|
| 2) | Rescuers locate the overturned skiff |
| 3) | Family members lost during fishing trip |
| 4) | Community responds to the tragedy |
| 5) | Cause of the capsizing remains unknown |
Teenager found after prolonged exposure
Derek Parker Aghnaanga, 15, was found on Monday morning, Sept. 7, after spending nearly two days on an overturned fishing skiff in the Bering Sea. He had been thrown into the water with his 35-year-old brother, Sidney Kulowiyi, and their cousin during a fishing trip from the remote Alaska Native village of Savoonga.
The teenager told rescuers that his cousin slipped away during the night before the rescue. He also indicated that his brother was still beneath the skiff. A family-organized fundraiser said Aghnaanga had attempted to hold onto both relatives after they died. He was suffering from symptoms of hypothermia when found and required immediate warming.
“Through the teeth chattering, he had mentioned that his brother was still under the skiff,” Adam White, captain of the fishing vessel Northwest Explorer, told local television reporters.
Rescuers locate the overturned skiff
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Air Station Kodiak spotted Aghnaanga approximately four miles east of St. Lawrence Island. The aircrew dropped a survival raft and other equipment, then deployed flares to help guide the Northwest Explorer to the location.
Crew members aboard the fishing vessel reached the skiff, pulled Aghnaanga to safety and recovered the bodies of his brother and cousin. They wrapped the teenager in blankets and applied hot packs while transporting him to Nome for further care. The rescue followed a coordinated search involving federal, state and local agencies.
Family members lost during fishing trip
The three family members left Savoonga on Friday for a fishing trip and planned to return early Sunday. When they did not come back, relatives reported them missing on Sunday night. The search was coordinated by the Coast Guard Arctic District and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, with assistance from the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing, Alaska State Troopers and local authorities.
Family members said the teenager’s older brother was a commercial fishing captain and an important provider in Savoonga, a community of about 800 people where halibut fishing is a significant part of local life. Sidney Kulowiyi also left children, according to the family fundraiser.
Community responds to the tragedy
News of the rescue brought relief to relatives who had been listening to radio updates during the search. Colleen Walker, an aunt of the brothers, described the family’s reaction when the rescue vessel reported finding a living child.
“We all cried and jumped for joy when the captain announced on the radio, ‘We found a kid, he’s alive, he’s alive,’” Walker said.
At the same time, the recovery of the two bodies left the community mourning. A family fundraiser had collected more than $42,000 toward a $45,000 goal as of Monday morning to assist with the family’s needs. Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District, expressed condolences to the relatives, friends and communities affected by the deaths.
Cause of the capsizing remains unknown
The Coast Guard and Alaska State Troopers had not identified what caused the fishing skiff to overturn. Investigators also had not publicly provided further details about the sea conditions or the circumstances leading to the incident.
The rescue highlights the dangers of prolonged exposure in the Bering Sea, where cold water can rapidly threaten survival. In this case, the teenager remained on the overturned vessel until an aircrew located him and a nearby fishing crew completed the recovery operation.
| 1 | A 15-year-old boy was rescued from an overturned skiff near St. Lawrence Island. |
|---|---|
| 2 | His older brother and cousin died after the three were thrown into the Bering Sea. |
| 3 | A Coast Guard aircraft located the teenager, and the Northwest Explorer crew rescued him. |
| 4 | The teenager showed symptoms of hypothermia and was taken to Nome. |
| 5 | Authorities had not disclosed what caused the skiff to capsize. |
Summary
The rescue of Derek Parker Aghnaanga ended a search that began after three people failed to return from a fishing trip near Savoonga. His survival brought relief to relatives, but the deaths of his brother and cousin turned the operation into a community tragedy. Authorities continued to withhold a cause for the capsizing while family and residents mourned the two men.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the teenager found?
He was found on an overturned fishing skiff approximately four miles east of St. Lawrence Island in Alaska’s Bering Sea.
Who died in the incident?
The teenager’s 35-year-old older brother, Sidney Kulowiyi, and his cousin died after the three were thrown into the water.
How was the teenager rescued?
A Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft located him and dropped emergency equipment. Flares then guided the fishing vessel Northwest Explorer to the site, where its crew pulled him aboard and transported him to Nome.
What caused the boat to overturn?
The Coast Guard and Alaska State Troopers had not announced what caused the skiff to capsize.
