A 15-year-old boy survived for days in the Bering Sea by clinging to an overturned skiff, but his older brother and another crew member were found dead, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. The teenager, identified by family as Derek Parker, was discovered alive Monday afternoon approximately four miles east of Alaska’s St. Lawrence Island.
The three had departed the Siberian Yupik village of Savoonga on Friday and were expected back by Sunday morning. Alaska State Troopers notified the Coast Guard of their overdue status Sunday evening. Adverse weather and poor visibility hampered initial search efforts, preventing a Coast Guard aircraft from reaching the area until Monday morning.
At approximately 3 p.m. Monday, an HC-130 Hercules aircrew spotted the overturned 18-foot skiff with Parker clinging to its side. The aircrew deployed a life raft and survival equipment and directed a nearby fishing vessel, the Northwest Explorer, to the scene. The fishing vessel rescued Parker, who was experiencing hypothermia symptoms, and recovered the two unresponsive men from the water. All three were transported to Nome.
Family members told Alaska News Source that the surviving teenager had been without food or water for days. His mother stated that his older brother, the boat's captain, became trapped beneath the vessel, while the third crew member died after surviving alongside Derek for another day. The aunt noted in a Facebook post that Derek had held onto both men as long as he could, even after they had drowned.
The older brother, whose name was not released, leaves behind two children. A GoFundMe created by the family described the incident as a devastating loss for their small community and is seeking donations to help with travel expenses and to bring the deceased men home.
Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard’s Arctic District, expressed gratitude for the rescue efforts. "Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and communities affected by the tragic loss of these two mariners," Little said in a statement. "We are grateful for the incredible efforts of the motor vessel Northwest Explorer, Federal, State, Village first responders and mission partners who assisted in the effort that resulted in a life saved."
Savoonga is a village of about 800 people located on the northern coast of St. Lawrence Island, roughly 160 miles west of Nome and about 40 miles from Russia.