Alaska Teen Survives 62 Hours Adrift After Family Fishing Trip Ends in Tragedy

A 15-year-old Alaska boy has recounted his harrowing 62-hour ordeal adrift at sea after his family's fishing skiff capsized, leading to the deaths of his older brother and cousin. Derek Parker Aghnaanga was stranded without food or water on the overturned boat near remote St. Lawrence Island after the vessel overturned. The tragedy unfolded on September 4 when Aghnaanga, his 35-year-old brother Sidney Kulowiyi, and 34-year-old cousin Barton Rookok went out to fish for halibut.

According to family members, a fishing line may have become entangled in the boat's motor, causing it to capsize. Kulowiyi, who was operating the skiff, became trapped beneath the overturned vessel and drowned. Rookok initially survived with Aghnaanga for approximately another day but eventually became distressed, entered the water, and also drowned.

Aghnaanga was left alone, clinging to the hull of the capsized boat as it drifted towards the Russian border. His mother, Vina Kulowiyi, stated that her son survived by turning to his faith, praying continuously during the ordeal. His aunt, Colleen Walker, revealed that Aghnaanga desperately attempted to hold onto the bodies of his brother and cousin after they had drowned.

When the fishing party failed to return by early Sunday morning, Alaska State Troopers alerted the U.S. Coast Guard that evening. Aircraft were dispatched to search the area. On September 7, a Coast Guard aircrew spotted Aghnaanga, wearing a bright yellow jacket, kneeling on the overturned skiff.

A fishing vessel, the Northwest Explorer, responded to the Coast Guard's call and assisted in the rescue. Crew members threw Aghnaanga a line, pulled the skiff closer, and eventually lifted the exhausted teenager into a rescue basket. Captain Adam White of the Northwest Explorer described Aghnaanga as a "tough kid."

Once aboard, Aghnaanga, suffering from symptoms of hypothermia, conveyed that his brother was still beneath the skiff and explained what had happened to his cousin. The crew provided him with blankets and hot packs as they headed towards Nome for his reunion with his family. The Northwest Explorer later recovered the bodies of Kulowiyi and Rookok.

The incident has been particularly devastating for Aghnaanga, who looked up to his older brother Sidney as a father figure after their own father died when they were younger. Sidney Kulowiyi was a commercial fishing captain and described as a provider for the Savoonga community. Fishing is a vital part of life in Savoonga, a village of about 800 people.

A GoFundMe campaign established to support Aghnaanga and his family has raised over $48,000 to assist with funeral expenses and aid the teenage survivor during his recovery.