Bristol Bay fishing death reported at Togiak

Here's a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard about a drowning at Togiak in Bristol Bay.

I can't tell for sure whether the victim was fishing commercially, though state records show a Stephen D. Luhrs of Togiak holds a Bristol Bay salmon setnet permit.

U.S. Coast Guard, 17th District

July 13, 2009

Coast Guard recovers body of fisherman in Togiak Bay

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard recovered the body of a 56-year-old fisherman who fell overboard from his skiff Monday in Togiak Bay.

The Coast Guard received a call at 9:04 a.m. Monday from a local fisherman reporting Steve Luhrs and his two daughters were pulling fishing nets into his 18-foot skiff when they fell overboard without life jackets on. The two daughters were able to pull themselves back into the skiff.

Good Samaritans aboard approximately 15 fishing vessels in the area immediately began searching for Luhrs while Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak launched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane. The daughters were removed from the skiff by good Samaritans aboard a nearby fishing vessel.

Both aircraft arrived on scene at about noon and searched for about an hour. The body was then located on a nearby beach by good Samaritans. The Coast Guard rescue helicopter landed and recovered and transferred the body to authorities in Togiak.

Accidents in Alaska can happen without warning in all weather conditions. The Coast Guard would like to remind boaters to carry all required and recommended safety equipment.