Mayday call goes unanswered
The Wind Walker, a 50-foot fishing vessel, reportedly capsized near Point Couverden, southwest of Juneau, Alaska, early Sunday morning. The crew sent a Mayday call around 12:10 a.m., but the U.S. Coast Guard was unable to establish further communication with the vessel.
Ferry crew was first to respond
The distress call was overheard by the crew of the ferry AMHS Hubbard, who arrived at the scene ahead of Coast Guard responders. The Coast Guard deployed an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a response boat, recovering seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights from the water near the incident.
Harsh weather conditions challenge rescue
The search efforts have been severely impacted by winter storm conditions, with heavy snow, 60 mph winds, and 6-foot waves. Part of the Gulf of Alaska is currently under a winter storm warning, complicating the rescue mission.
Crew details remain unclear
Locals familiar with the Wind Walker reported that five people were aboard the vessel when it capsized. However, the Coast Guard has yet to confirm the exact number of crew members missing.
