Tuesday, July 14, 2009

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.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is one of Stephen Luhrs' daughters, we did not fall overboard but jumped approx. twenty feet from shore. Maybe ten minutes after jumping another boat saw us and came over and got us. My dad was never recovered.

Anonymous said...

This is your father's cousin Lynn and I'm so very very sorry about you loosing your father. I KNOW that he is with his Lord and savior and that is a big comfort. Blessings to you and your sister and mother... you all were very much loved by your dad.

Anonymous said...

i know how you girls feel because he was my favorite uncle and it still feels like he is still here. he always used to call me lucy soup or runaway lucy.
-Lynette Lucille Claire Kohuk-