A 15-year-old boy survived roughly two days on top of an overturned fishing boat in Alaska’s frigid Bering Sea before rescuers pulled him to safety.
The teenager, identified by family members as Derek Parker Aghnaanga, was found Monday near St. Lawrence Island. His older brother and cousin died after the boat capsized.
Fast Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Survivor | Derek Parker Aghnaanga, 15 |
| Location | Bering Sea, Alaska |
| Boat | 18-foot fishing skiff |
| Departure | Savoonga, St. Lawrence Island |
| Departure date | Friday, Sept. 4 |
| Boat capsized | Saturday |
| Rescue | Monday |
| Water temperature | About 50°F (10°C) |
| Survivor’s condition | Signs of hypothermia |
| Other victims | His older brother and cousin |
| Rescue vessel | The Northwest Explorer |
Teen Found Clinging to Overturned Boat
Aghnaanga remained on the overturned skiff after it capsized during a fishing trip off St. Lawrence Island.
A U.S. Coast Guard aircraft located him Monday morning. A nearby fishing vessel then reached the boat and pulled him aboard.
The teenager had spent the time exposed to cold water and darkness. The captain who rescued him said the water temperature was around 50°F (10°C).
Adam White, captain of The Northwest Explorer, told KTUU-TV that the teenager was tough despite showing signs of the cold.
His Brother and Cousin Did Not Survive
Aghnaanga was not the only person who initially survived the capsizing.
According to the teenager, his cousin had also held onto the overturned boat but slipped away the night before the rescue.
His 35-year-old brother, Sidney Kulowiyi, was also under the skiff when rescuers arrived. The fishing vessel that rescued Aghnaanga recovered the bodies of both relatives.
The Coast Guard said its response began after the three were reported missing.
Family Had Been Waiting for Them to Return
The three left the village of Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island on Friday, Sept. 4.
They were expected to return early Sunday afternoon, but the 18-foot fishing boat did not come back. Family members then reported them missing, prompting the Coast Guard search.
Search aircraft and helicopters were sent to the area Monday morning.
He Had No Food or Water
Aghnaanga’s mother, Vina Kulowiyi, said on Facebook that the boat had overturned Saturday and her son spent about two days at sea without food or water.
She said her sons were fishing for a reason closely tied to life in their community.
Residents of Savoonga often rely on fishing and hunting to supplement food supplies, while sharing their catch with relatives and neighbors.
Kulowiyi said her sons were raised to provide food for other families in the village.
A Remote Community on St. Lawrence Island
Savoonga has about 800 residents and is located on St. Lawrence Island in western Alaska.
The community is primarily inhabited by Siberian Yupik people. St. Lawrence Island Yupik and English are the main languages spoken there.
Fishing and hunting remain important parts of community life, particularly in an area where access to store-bought meat can be limited.
Aghnaanga’s aunt, Collen Walker, described sharing food as an important part of the community’s traditions.
Survivor Recovering at Home
Aghnaanga was recovering at home after the rescue, according to his mother.
She said her son had remained calm during the ordeal and spent much of the time praying.
Coast Guard officials expressed condolences to the families and community members affected by the deaths of the two men.
The rescue ended a search that began after the fishing trip failed to return as expected, but the recovery of Aghnaanga’s brother and cousin turned the incident into a tragedy for the small St. Lawrence Island community.
