A 15-year-old Alaska Native boy was rescued Monday after spending nearly three days clinging to an overturned fishing skiff in the frigid Bering Sea, where two family members perished during the ordeal.
Derek Parker Aghnaanga was located approximately four miles east of St. Lawrence Island by a U.S. Coast Guard aircrew, which dropped survival equipment and guided a nearby fishing vessel to his position. Crew members from the Northwest Explorer recovered Aghnaanga and retrieved the bodies of his 35-year-old brother, Sidney Kulowiyi, and their cousin.
Aghnaanga was experiencing hypothermia symptoms when rescued and was transported to Nome for medical evaluation. Relatives later confirmed that he had attempted to hold onto his brother and cousin after they died before their bodies were recovered.
The incident unfolded after the trio departed the remote Alaska Native village of Savoonga on Friday for a planned fishing trip. Family members reported them missing Sunday night, triggering a multi-agency search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers, and other state and local agencies.
Immediate Response and Rescue Efforts
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak first spotted Aghnaanga atop the overturned vessel. The crew deployed a survival raft, additional equipment, and flares to guide the Northwest Explorer to the scene. Upon arrival, crew members pulled Aghnaanga to safety and recovered the bodies of Kulowiyi and the cousin.
A GoFundMe page organized by relatives described Aghnaanga’s efforts to keep his family members afloat before their deaths. The page also noted that he had been clinging to the capsized skiff for nearly 48 hours before rescue.
Survivor’s Account
Rescuers and family members relayed Aghnaanga’s account of the tragedy. According to Adam White, captain of the Northwest Explorer, Aghnaanga—through severe hypothermia-induced chattering—stated that his brother remained trapped beneath the overturned vessel. He also reported that his cousin had slipped away during the night before the rescue.
The teen’s survival has been attributed to his ability to remain atop the skiff despite the frigid conditions and rough seas.
Background and Community Impact
The three individuals were from the Alaska Native village of Savoonga, a remote community on St. Lawrence Island. Fishing is a critical subsistence activity in the region, and the loss of two community members has drawn local attention.
Relatives have organized a GoFundMe campaign to support Aghnaanga and his family during the recovery process. The page describes the emotional toll of the incident and expresses gratitude for the rescue efforts.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities have not yet released details on the cause of the boat’s capsizing. The Alaska State Troopers and U.S. Coast Guard are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.