Fishing Vessel Capsizes Near Sand Point, Alaska; 2 Dead 1 Missing

Juneau, Alaska

Coast Guard rescue crews are still searching waters off the Alaskan coast for a crewmember who fell overboard when a fishing boat capsized Wednesday morning.

Three of the Ocean Challenger's four crewmembers were recovered after falling overboard during the capsizing.

The three recovered crewmembers were hoisted by a Coast Guard rescue helicopter and flown to a medical facility in Cold Bay, Alaska. Two of the men were dead.

The Coast Guard says 28-year-old Kevin Ferrell of Lynchburg, Virginia, is the crewman who survived. He was the only one wearing a survival suit.

A rescue swimmer and a helicopter crew hoisted Ferrell to safety. He was in serious condition.

They also recovered the bodies of the skipper, 51-year-old David Hasselquist of Hoonah, and 26-year-old Walter Foster of Westport, Washington.

The search continues for the remaining crewmember.

The missing man is 26 year old Steve Esparza of Kodiak. The Coast Guard says he was not wearing a survival suit.

The Coast Guard Cutter Munro will remain on scene searching throughout the night.

Coast Guard aircraft will rejoin the search at first light tomorrow morning.

The Ocean Challenger is a 49-foot, 50-ton fishing vessel based out of Adak, Alaska.

The cause of the capsizing is unknown.

Some information from US Coast Guard Press Release