The Alaska State Troopers today released the following:
Location: Copper River flats
Type: Death investigation
On 5/25/17 at approximately 2100 hours, the U.S. Coast Guard received a report that the F/V Dances With Clams was driving around in circles with no one onboard near Pete Dahl Slough, Copper River flats. Two wildlife troopers from the P/V Churchill responded and received assistance from a good Samaritan vessel that could navigate in the shallow water. Just as troopers arrived near the search area, a Coast Guard helicopter dispatched to the scene found the victim and sole operator of the vessel facedown in the surf and unresponsive. The Coast Guard recovered the body and transported the remains to Cordova. The victim was identified as Clifford M. Johns, 69, of Bothell, Wash. No foul play is suspected. Next of kin was notified. Troopers recovered the fishing vessel and brought it back to Cordova. Johns' body was sent to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy.
Interesting how that story was portrayed. I was there and it seemed that after a long search with numerous fishing vessels it was determined there was no one in the water and a shore line search was in order. The USCG made it out just before sunset and were positioned on the shore line by the ongoing search party. The troopers had a deep draft vessel and no trac lines and were anchored inside egg channel. The unmanned vessel was recovered by fisherman and anchored inside the Pidahl bar. The troopers were brought to it by another fishing vessel. I wouldn't call it a publicity opportunity.
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