The search for the "Tonto III" reported lost since Friday ended successfully with its discovery by the Craig Harbor Master's vessel on late Saturday morning with all reporting no injuries.

On Friday evening, 39-year-old Daniel Roberts from Klawock, received a text from his sister, 25-year-old Belinda Nicole Stahl, who had left with two other unknown hunting partners for a day hunt on Noyes Island, 19 miles southwest of Craig. In the text Stahl related to Roberts that the boat was low on fuel and that they were lost in the dark somewhere between Noyes Island and Klawock.

Roberts reported that information to the Alaska State Troopers via telephone at 6:36 pm. The troopers relayed that information on to the United States Coast Guard and Klawock Search and Rescue, and as a result, a USCG helicopter was launched and a search initiated. But, that initial search had no success after the helicopter crew reported poor weather conditions and lack of daylight and were unable to locate any vessel adrift in the reported area.

At 7:30 am on Saturday morning, The Craig Harbor Master and Klawock Search and Rescue launched vessels. Meanwhile further investigation would find the identity of the still unknown vessel. It was found that the “lost vessel” was the “Tonto III,” a 41.5-foot power troller recently purchased by Wadleigh Island resident 54-year-old Michael Blair.

The search continued for the vessel, and at 10:36 am, the vessel was located by the Craig Harbor Master’s vessel near Port Real Marina. The Alaska Wildlife Trooper vessel “Interceptor” also responded to the scene. The troopers contacted Blair and Stahl along with 53-year-old Ketchikan resident Richard Morgan and 20-year-old Klawock resident Chanel Mackie, and escorted their vessel back to Klawock Harbor.