A family’s fishing trip to Alaska has ended in tragedy after their chartered boat sank, leaving five dead and two missing.
Eight members of the Tyau family embarked on a large fishing vacation off the coast of Alaska over Memorial Day Weekend.
On Sunday, one of their boats capsized about 10 miles off the coast of Sitka, near Low Island, the US Coast Guard said.
The boat, named the Awakin, was a 30-foot aluminum charter vessel owned by Kingfisher Charters.
The Awakin was last seen on Sunday afternoon. It was eventually found later that evening capsized.
One person, later identified as Maury Agcaoili, was found unresponsive at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Rescuers had a difficult time reaching the boat, which was obstructed by ‘rough seas and strong wind,’ the Alaska Department of Public Safety said.
Eventually they were able to recover the vessel, where they found two women dead inside the cabin. They were identified as sisters Brandi Tyau, 56, and Danielle Agcaoili, 53.
Another two occupants of the Awakin are still missing – Brandi’s longtime partner Robert Solis, 61, and the boat’s captain, Morgan Robidou, 32.
The entire family, who hail from Hawaii and Los Angeles, California, were staying at a lodge in Sitka owned by Kingfisher Charters.
‘It was just supposed to be a simple family get-together for eight of us, since we haven’t been together in the same spot for so long,’ Brandi and Danielle’s brother Michael Tyau said.
Michael, his parents, and his wife were on a separate boat that same day. The two boats ventured to different areas to fish, but Michael said their trip felt ‘safe.’
The Coast Guard called off the search for Solis and Robidou on Tuesday, after combing an area of 825 square miles with boats and aircraft.
‘Suspending a search is never an easy decision,’ Captain Darwin Jensin said. ‘We extend our deepest sympathy to the loved ones during this difficult time. Our sincere thanks to community partners and the good Samaritan vessels who rapidly responded to help in the search.’
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