The Alaska State Troopers posted the following on July 3:
Location: Kodiak
Type: SAR/death investigation
On 7/3/20 at approximately 0623 hours, Alaska Wildlife Trooper Seward received a call that the U.S. Coast Guard was transporting a deceased subject later identified to be 22-year-old Cole Rutzer. Investigation revealed Rutzer was commercial Dungeness fishing off Tugidak Island located at the south end of Kodiak. Yesterday afternoon, Rutzer and Dylan Furford used a Zodiac skiff to go beachcombing on Tugidak Island. Rutzer and Furford did not return later that evening, so USCG was notified and started to search the area via helo. The USCG found the Zodiac skiff capsized and Rutzer deceased on the beach. A second helo was deployed to search for Furford. Members of KISAR participated in search efforts. The USCG has suspended the search. Next of kin for both men were notified.
Showing posts with label death investigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death investigation. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Accidental death reported on Bering Sea boat
The Alaska State Troopers today released the following:
Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Death investigation
On 5/2/18 a death was reported on the F/V Ocean Hunter, a 95-foot longline trawler in the Bering Sea. The deceased person is Christopher O'Callaghan, 55, of Kodiak. O'Callaghan was on the deck while the vessel was tied off to another vessel in the open sea, transferring fish. A slack line suddenly went taut, striking O'Callaghan on the chest, causing bruising and internal injuries, resulting in his death. The incident was witnessed by several crewmembers. Next of kin have been notified. O'Callaghan's body was transported to Dutch Harbor and then to the state medical examiner at their request.
Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Death investigation
On 5/2/18 a death was reported on the F/V Ocean Hunter, a 95-foot longline trawler in the Bering Sea. The deceased person is Christopher O'Callaghan, 55, of Kodiak. O'Callaghan was on the deck while the vessel was tied off to another vessel in the open sea, transferring fish. A slack line suddenly went taut, striking O'Callaghan on the chest, causing bruising and internal injuries, resulting in his death. The incident was witnessed by several crewmembers. Next of kin have been notified. O'Callaghan's body was transported to Dutch Harbor and then to the state medical examiner at their request.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Death reported on Bering Sea vessel
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Death Investigation
On 10/20/17 a death was reported on the F/V Seafisher, a 230-foot catcher-processor in the Bering Sea. The deceased person is David Thok, 42, of Auburn, Wash. Thok reportedly was on shift when he collapsed and became unresponsive. CPR was performed by the vessel's medical officers under telephonic supervision of a physician. Thok was declared dead after resuscitation efforts were not successful. The incident was witnessed by several coworkers and there are no apparent indications of criminal activity. Next of kin have been notified. Thok's body was transported to Dutch Harbor and on to the state medical examiner's office.
Location: Dutch Harbor
Type: Death Investigation
On 10/20/17 a death was reported on the F/V Seafisher, a 230-foot catcher-processor in the Bering Sea. The deceased person is David Thok, 42, of Auburn, Wash. Thok reportedly was on shift when he collapsed and became unresponsive. CPR was performed by the vessel's medical officers under telephonic supervision of a physician. Thok was declared dead after resuscitation efforts were not successful. The incident was witnessed by several coworkers and there are no apparent indications of criminal activity. Next of kin have been notified. Thok's body was transported to Dutch Harbor and on to the state medical examiner's office.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Copper River fisherman pulled dead from the surf
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.
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.
Friday, May 12, 2017
Two deaths reported
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Seward
Type: Death investigation
The U.S. Coast Guard notified the Alaska State Troopers of a death on a fishing vessel. The F/V Lady Angela was located near Shelikof Strait. Crewmembers aboard the vessel reported the captain, David Duarte, 62, of Seward, had passed away. Troopers met the vessel when it arrived in Seward on 5/12/17 at approximately 0946 hours. The investigation revealed Duarte was last seen alive in the early morning hours on 5/11/17. Duarte was found deceased in his stateroom at approximately 1930 hours on 5/11/17. The state medical examiner's office was contacted and released the body to the family. There are no signs of foul play. Duarte's next of kin was notified.
Location: Twin Hills
Type: Death investigation
On 5/10/17 at 1825 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a body found on the beach near the Togiak Fisheries cannery. Investigation revealed cannery worker James Schneider, 56, of Warrenton, Ore., was found facedown in mud after apparently falling approximately 15 feet from the cannery dock during low tide. Coworkers attempted CPR for 20 to 30 minutes before he was eventually pronounced deceased on scene by Kanakanak Hospital medical staff, Dillingham. The Togiak village public safety officer responded to the scene via boat while Alaska State Troopers arrived a short time later via chartered aircraft. No foul play is suspected at this time. His remains are en route to Anchorage for autopsy. Investigation also revealed that Schneider had an active $1,000 misdemeanor warrant for his arrest out of King Salmon for the original charge of DUI, failure to appear. Next of kin have been notified.
Location: Seward
Type: Death investigation
The U.S. Coast Guard notified the Alaska State Troopers of a death on a fishing vessel. The F/V Lady Angela was located near Shelikof Strait. Crewmembers aboard the vessel reported the captain, David Duarte, 62, of Seward, had passed away. Troopers met the vessel when it arrived in Seward on 5/12/17 at approximately 0946 hours. The investigation revealed Duarte was last seen alive in the early morning hours on 5/11/17. Duarte was found deceased in his stateroom at approximately 1930 hours on 5/11/17. The state medical examiner's office was contacted and released the body to the family. There are no signs of foul play. Duarte's next of kin was notified.
Location: Twin Hills
Type: Death investigation
On 5/10/17 at 1825 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a body found on the beach near the Togiak Fisheries cannery. Investigation revealed cannery worker James Schneider, 56, of Warrenton, Ore., was found facedown in mud after apparently falling approximately 15 feet from the cannery dock during low tide. Coworkers attempted CPR for 20 to 30 minutes before he was eventually pronounced deceased on scene by Kanakanak Hospital medical staff, Dillingham. The Togiak village public safety officer responded to the scene via boat while Alaska State Troopers arrived a short time later via chartered aircraft. No foul play is suspected at this time. His remains are en route to Anchorage for autopsy. Investigation also revealed that Schneider had an active $1,000 misdemeanor warrant for his arrest out of King Salmon for the original charge of DUI, failure to appear. Next of kin have been notified.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Man found dead on boat in Southeast Alaska
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Death investigation
On 7/30/16 at approximately 0547 hours, the Alaska State Troopers in Ketchikan were notified by the U.S. Coast Guard of an unresponsive male aboard the F/V Odin in Anita Bay. The male was identified as Charles Richards, 28, of Seattle. Crewmembers found Richards in his bunk unresponsive. Wrangell Search and Rescue was notified and responded. Wrangell SAR transported Richards to the Wrangell clinic where he was pronounced deceased. An Alaska wildlife trooper in Wrangell responded to investigate. The state medical examiner's office was notified and the deceased was transported for examination. The exact cause of death is unknown pending results from the SME. Next of kin have been notified.
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Death investigation
On 7/30/16 at approximately 0547 hours, the Alaska State Troopers in Ketchikan were notified by the U.S. Coast Guard of an unresponsive male aboard the F/V Odin in Anita Bay. The male was identified as Charles Richards, 28, of Seattle. Crewmembers found Richards in his bunk unresponsive. Wrangell Search and Rescue was notified and responded. Wrangell SAR transported Richards to the Wrangell clinic where he was pronounced deceased. An Alaska wildlife trooper in Wrangell responded to investigate. The state medical examiner's office was notified and the deceased was transported for examination. The exact cause of death is unknown pending results from the SME. Next of kin have been notified.
Monday, May 23, 2016
Starbound victim identified
The crewman who died on the factory trawler Starbound was 19-year-old Daniel Christensen, the King County Medical Examiner's Office said.
The office released these findings:
Cause of death: electrocution
Manner of death: accident
The Seattle Police Department provided the following narrative from the incident report. Names were redacted (deleted), per department policy.
SPD GO 2016-169297
On 05/15/2016, I was assigned as 3B3 as a uniformed Officer. At approximately 0102 hours, I responded to a DOA at 1441 N Northlake Wy.
Upon arrival, SFD (Seattle Fire Department) led Sgt Harris and myself onto a large ship and down into the lower section of the boat. SFD said that the Deceased, ______, had been accidentally electricuted in a large commercial electrical panel.
I investigated the scene and there were no signs to suggest that ______'s death was not accidental. I photographed the scene and I later uploaded the pictures into DEMS.
I then contacted the Worker who discovered ______'s body, ______. ______ stated that ______ arrived on the ship for work at approximately 1745 hours. ______ said that when ______ was not seen around 0000 hours for lunch, the workers all began to search the ship for him. ______ told me that he discovered ______'s body around 0045 hours, slumped down inside of a commercial electrical panel.
I called the Medical Examiner, ______, who arrived at approximately 0307 hours. ______ photographed and investigated the scene. I then requested that SFD respond to assist in extracting ______'s body up out of the ship.
The office released these findings:
Cause of death: electrocution
Manner of death: accident
The Seattle Police Department provided the following narrative from the incident report. Names were redacted (deleted), per department policy.
SPD GO 2016-169297
On 05/15/2016, I was assigned as 3B3 as a uniformed Officer. At approximately 0102 hours, I responded to a DOA at 1441 N Northlake Wy.
Upon arrival, SFD (Seattle Fire Department) led Sgt Harris and myself onto a large ship and down into the lower section of the boat. SFD said that the Deceased, ______, had been accidentally electricuted in a large commercial electrical panel.
I investigated the scene and there were no signs to suggest that ______'s death was not accidental. I photographed the scene and I later uploaded the pictures into DEMS.
I then contacted the Worker who discovered ______'s body, ______. ______ stated that ______ arrived on the ship for work at approximately 1745 hours. ______ said that when ______ was not seen around 0000 hours for lunch, the workers all began to search the ship for him. ______ told me that he discovered ______'s body around 0045 hours, slumped down inside of a commercial electrical panel.
I called the Medical Examiner, ______, who arrived at approximately 0307 hours. ______ photographed and investigated the scene. I then requested that SFD respond to assist in extracting ______'s body up out of the ship.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Starbound update
We still know very little about a death that occurred a week ago aboard the factory trawler Starbound.
The vessel was moored in Seattle at the time of what is believed to have been a workplace accident.
The Starbound recently had undergone extensive modification at a shipyard in Anacortes. The work included stretching the vessel to bring its length overall to about 300 feet.
The Starbound is among the largest fishing vessels working off Alaska, harvesting pollock in the Bering Sea.
An attorney for Starbound LLC told Deckboss on Friday that a crewmember was "found unresponsive" in or around the engine room of the vessel last Saturday evening.
The attorney wouldn't discuss the circumstances of the death. He said he was not at liberty to provide the victim's name or age.
The company is cooperating with local authorities and with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard, which are investigating, the attorney said.
We've been unable to collect any useful information thus far from OSHA or the Coast Guard.
Ownership of the vessel is complex.
One minority owner is APICDA, the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association. Based in Juneau, the association holds rights under the federal community development quota (CDQ) program to harvest pollock on behalf of Western Alaska villages.
APICDA's latest annual report offers this description of Starbound LLC:
STARBOUND, LLC
APICDA Joint Ventures owns 20% of this pollock trawl catcher processor. Other partners include Aleutian Spray Fisheries (65%), Barry Ohai (10%) and Karl Bratvold (5%). Aleutian Spray serves as the managing partner. This vessel harvests and processes approximately 80% of APICDA's pollock CDQ quota.
According to its website, Aleutian Spray is a family business established in 1969 by Henry Swasand.
The vessel was moored in Seattle at the time of what is believed to have been a workplace accident.
The Starbound recently had undergone extensive modification at a shipyard in Anacortes. The work included stretching the vessel to bring its length overall to about 300 feet.
The Starbound is among the largest fishing vessels working off Alaska, harvesting pollock in the Bering Sea.
An attorney for Starbound LLC told Deckboss on Friday that a crewmember was "found unresponsive" in or around the engine room of the vessel last Saturday evening.
The attorney wouldn't discuss the circumstances of the death. He said he was not at liberty to provide the victim's name or age.
The company is cooperating with local authorities and with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard, which are investigating, the attorney said.
We've been unable to collect any useful information thus far from OSHA or the Coast Guard.
Ownership of the vessel is complex.
One minority owner is APICDA, the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association. Based in Juneau, the association holds rights under the federal community development quota (CDQ) program to harvest pollock on behalf of Western Alaska villages.
APICDA's latest annual report offers this description of Starbound LLC:
STARBOUND, LLC
APICDA Joint Ventures owns 20% of this pollock trawl catcher processor. Other partners include Aleutian Spray Fisheries (65%), Barry Ohai (10%) and Karl Bratvold (5%). Aleutian Spray serves as the managing partner. This vessel harvests and processes approximately 80% of APICDA's pollock CDQ quota.
According to its website, Aleutian Spray is a family business established in 1969 by Henry Swasand.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Authorities investigate Kodiak diver death
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Old Harbor
Type: Death investigation
On 10/11/15 at approximately 1336 hours, Alaska State Troopers were notified of a deceased individual at Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center. Investigation revealed the U.S. Coast Guard had medevaced a diver from the F/V Momo and Maddie to the hospital emergency room. The vessel was participating in the sea cucumber commercial dive fishery near Port Hobron, approximately six miles from the village of Old Harbor. Further investigation identified the commercial diver as Gary Graves, 36, of Kodiak. The state medical examiner was notified of the death and requested the body be transported to their office for examination. Next of kin has been notified and the investigation continues.
Editor's note: State records list Gary A. Graves, of Dover, N.H., as the owner of the 47-foot Momo and Maddie.
Location: Old Harbor
Type: Death investigation
On 10/11/15 at approximately 1336 hours, Alaska State Troopers were notified of a deceased individual at Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center. Investigation revealed the U.S. Coast Guard had medevaced a diver from the F/V Momo and Maddie to the hospital emergency room. The vessel was participating in the sea cucumber commercial dive fishery near Port Hobron, approximately six miles from the village of Old Harbor. Further investigation identified the commercial diver as Gary Graves, 36, of Kodiak. The state medical examiner was notified of the death and requested the body be transported to their office for examination. Next of kin has been notified and the investigation continues.
Editor's note: State records list Gary A. Graves, of Dover, N.H., as the owner of the 47-foot Momo and Maddie.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Missing Trident worker found dead at Akutan
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Akutan
Type: Death investigation
On 05/26/15 at about 1350 hours, the Alaska State Troopers were notified by the Akutan village public safety officer that Yuliana Zazueca, 30, of Bakersfield, Calif., was missing and did not report for work for her scheduled shift at Trident Seafoods. A search of the island was conducted using resources from Trident, the Aleutians East Borough and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers out of Dutch Harbor. Yuliana's body was located on 5/27/15 at about 1100 hours. Next of kin has been notified. The body will be transported to Anchorage for an autopsy. No foul play is suspected.
Location: Akutan
Type: Death investigation
On 05/26/15 at about 1350 hours, the Alaska State Troopers were notified by the Akutan village public safety officer that Yuliana Zazueca, 30, of Bakersfield, Calif., was missing and did not report for work for her scheduled shift at Trident Seafoods. A search of the island was conducted using resources from Trident, the Aleutians East Borough and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers out of Dutch Harbor. Yuliana's body was located on 5/27/15 at about 1100 hours. Next of kin has been notified. The body will be transported to Anchorage for an autopsy. No foul play is suspected.
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