Coast Guard Joins Search For Missing Koyuk Boaters

The United States Coast Guard, who had air assets, an HC-130, in Anchorage because of weather in Kodiak, joined in the search for 41-year-old David Slwooko and 48-year-old Debra Kimoktoak, the Koyuk boaters missing since Monday.

They were joined by a MH-60 Jayhawk helipter from Kodiak that was operating out of Forward Operating Location Barrow and the Coast Guard cutter Bertholf.

The boaters have been missing since Monday when they were due to arrive in Unalakleet on Monday evening.

Troopers were notified on Tuesday evening and began a search on Wednesday, when an aircraft and boat took up the search. Troopers also conducted a search from shore south of Unalakleet, but no signs of the boaters was found.

Troopers requested the Coast Guard assist in the search last night. The Coast Guad will canvass the area around Norton Sound and Norton Bay.

A second HC-130 is transporting a second helicopter crew for the Jayhawk transiting to Kotzebue to take over the search for the boaters.

“Cases like this highlight the importance of filing a float plan and telling someone when you are leaving and when you plan to return,” said Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Roberto, a search and rescue controller at the Coast Guard District 17 command center in Juneau. “It also shows the level of coordination and logistics necessary to conduct searches in remote areas of Alaska.”

Weather conditions for the search are seas of five to seven feet and Northerly winds of 25 mph. Visibility is good.