Alaska Teen Survives 62 Hours Adrift, Clinging to Overturned Boat

A 15-year-old Alaska boy survived an estimated 62 hours adrift at sea on an overturned boat, clinging to life as he lost his brother and cousin. The harrowing ordeal began September 4 when Derek Parker Aghnaanga, his 35-year-old brother Sidney Kulowiyi, and 34-year-old cousin Barton Rookok departed Savoonga to fish for halibut near remote St. Lawrence Island.

Their small fishing skiff capsized, with relatives suggesting a fishing line may have become entangled in the motor. Kulowiyi, the boat's captain, became trapped beneath the overturned vessel and drowned. Rookok managed to survive with Aghnaanga for about another day before becoming distressed, entering the water, and also drowning.

Aghnaanga was left alone, kneeling on the hull as it drifted towards the Russian border. His aunt, Colleen Walker, revealed that the teenager tried to hold onto the bodies of his deceased relatives for as long as he could. His mother, Vina Kulowiyi, stated on Facebook that her son survived on prayer, without food or water for the duration of his ordeal.

Expected back early Sunday, the fishing party's absence prompted Alaska State Troopers to alert the U.S. Coast Guard Sunday night. Aircraft were dispatched to search the vast expanse of ocean. On September 7, around 10:30 a.m., a Coast Guard aircrew spotted Aghnaanga, wearing a bright yellow jacket, on top of the overturned skiff.

The Coast Guard deployed a life raft and supplies and alerted the nearby fishing vessel Northwest Explorer. Crew members threw Aghnaanga a line and gradually brought the skiff alongside their vessel before lifting the exhausted teenager to safety in a rescue basket. Captain Adam White of the Northwest Explorer described Aghnaanga as a "tough kid."

Upon boarding, Aghnaanga, suffering from symptoms of hypothermia, communicated through chattering teeth that his brother was still beneath the skiff and explained what had happened to his cousin. The Northwest Explorer crew provided blankets and hot packs and kept him engaged in conversation during the journey to Nome, where he was reunited with his family.

While the community rejoiced at Aghnaanga's survival, the discovery was bittersweet as he was found alone. The Northwest Explorer later recovered the bodies of Kulowiyi and Rookok.

Sidney Kulowiyi was described as a father figure to Aghnaanga, as their own father had died when they were younger. Kulowiyi was a commercial fishing captain and a provider for the Savoonga community, where fishing is vital to daily life and traditions of mutual support.

A GoFundMe page established to support Aghnaanga and his family has raised over $48,000 to help with funeral expenses and the survivor's recovery.