Horror on Alaska fishing boat as young crewmember is swept up by net and plunged into ocean
A 21-year-old fisherman died after his gear dragged him into the water in Southwest Alaska, officials said.
Commercial fishing crewmember Corwin Wheeler fell from the boat in Kvichak Bay Friday, during a contracted fishing expedition.
A mayday call reported him overboard at 12:31 pm, spurring a rescue operation.
The bay has some of the highest tides in the world, and the operation was ultimately unsuccessful.
Officials said Wheeler first became tangled in his fishing gear, before being pulled overboard and into the water. Tributes have since poured in for the young angler, headed by his father.
Commercial salmon fisher Corwin Wheeler, 21, fell from a boat in Kvichak Bay Friday while fishing salmon, officials said
'On 07/05/2024 at approximately 1231 hours, DPS Patrol Vessel Stimson received a MAYDAY call from a commercial salmon fisherman in Kvichak Bay stating he lost a crewman over the side of his vessel,' the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a statement.
'AWT [Alaska Wildlife Troops] responded to the area with two patrol skiffs and arrived just as the reporting vessel had located and retrieved their unconscious crewmember out of the water.
'AWT performed lifesaving measures for approximately one hour prior to pronouncing the crewman deceased.
'Investigation revealed [he] had become entangled in fishing gear and was pulled overboard and underwater.
'Next of kin has been notified.'
The boy's father posted to Facebook a day later.
'I loved him more than anything else in the world,' Jeff Rowe, of Illinois, wrote Saturday.
'I pray he knows that, and I hope he has found peace. More info will be posted when it's available.'
Wheeler is survived by his sister Zoe. His mom and stepfather are currently making arrangements for his funeral.
A subsequent rescue proved unsuccessful. Corwin lived in Madison and was born in Salem, his social media shows
Photos show him happily working the Bering Sea, as a contacted commercial fisherman
The bay has some of the highest tides in the world, which proved fatal for the young fisherman. It is located about 435 miles southwest of Anchorage
According to his social media, Corwin lived in Madison, and was born in Salem.
Photos show him happily working the Bering Sea in the summer and winters.
In the winter, he worked for Alaskan Leader Seafoods - one of the largest fishing companies in Alaska. They own four super long-liners that operate year-round, according to its website.
It bill itself as one of 'the most progressive, innovative and vertically integrated “Hook & Line“ fishing compan[ies] in Alaska,' meaning fisherman fish by means of a series of baited hooks.
This summer, though, he was working for a different company on a boat called the Anna Joy, fishing for salmon.
In the winter, Corwin worked on one of three fishing vessels belonging to Alaskan Leader Seafoods, the F/V Alaskan Leader, F/V Bristol Leader and the F/V Bering Leader.
Speaking to Dailymail.com, Company President Keith Singleton called Corwin's passing a 'tragedy', as investigators confirm Corwin accidentally became entangled in his gear.
'We loved him here,' Singleton added, describing how he would regularly work for them during cold-fishing expeditions.
Corwin - seen here gripping a grouper - worked both the summer and winter fishing seasons
The bay where Corwin has been working was also particularly well known for its inherent dangers. It can be found on the upper reaches of the bay, which is one of the most dangerous regions in the world for large vessels
The dangers of working the Bering Sea are well known - with trawlers by and large painting it as one of the coldest and most dangerous seas across the globe.
It is also one of the most dangerous places to fish, with decorated commercial fisherman Corey Arnold famously labeling the sea 'a continuous storm.'
The bay where Corwin has been working was also particularly well-known for its inherent dangers, and can be found on the northeast side of Bristol Bay, near King Salmon.
More specifically, it can be found on the upper reaches of the bay, which experience some of the highest tides in the world.
In some parts, tidal extremes in excess of 30 feet have been measured, the eighth highest in the world.
Coupled with an outsized amount of shoals, unseen sandbars, and shallows, this makes navigation troublesome, especially amid frequently strong winds.
It is also the shallowest part of the Bering Sea, making it one of the most dangerous regions for large vessels.
