The group had last been seen been leaving Alaska’s St Lawrence Island in an 18ft fishing vessel on Friday, and were expected back early on Sunday but failed to return, the coast guard said in a statement. Authorities began their search on Sunday evening, and an aircrew found the sole survivor on top of the overturned vessel on Monday afternoon.
“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and communities affected by the tragic loss of these two mariners,” R Adm Bob Little, commander of the Arctic district, 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.”
Footage of the rescue showed the teen kneeling on the overturned vessel as it swayed in the water before rescuers pull him toward their ship and helped him onboard.
Darren Toolie-Noongwook, a brother of the survivor, whom he identified as Parker, and one of the deceased, told NBC News that his family works in commercial fishing and often spends long periods of time on the water. Toolie-Noongwook said that his brother had said the boat’s motor got caught in a fishing line and the group couldn’t untangle it. Later the boat flipped in bad weather, and only the teen survivor and his cousin managed to climb to the top of the vessel.
Toolie-Noongwook said his brother told him that his cousin eventually began to panic and jumped from the boat, swimming only a few feet before he drowned. Parker was left alone and spent the time before he was rescued praying, his brother said.
“He said he believed he was going to make it. He believed that he was gonna be found and he was gonna be safe, and it happened,” Toolie-Noongwook said.
The bodies of the two victims were recovered, according to the coast guard.