Coast Guard Releases Names of Lost F/V Wind Walker Crew

The U.S. Coast Guard District 17 headquarters announced that the next of kin of the five individuals missing after the sinking of the F/V WIND WALKER have been notified. The agency also released the names of the missing crew members. GoFundMe accounts have been established for all five grieving families:

• Michael Brown
• Emilio Celaya-Talamanter
• Jake Hannah
• Alex Ireland
• Captain Travis Kapp

Despite an intensive search effort lasting over 24 hours, no signs of survivors from the Sitka-based vessel have been discovered. The search, which spanned the waters 25 miles southwest of Juneau where the boat went down, involved the U.S. Coast Guard, good Samaritan vessels, and the Alaska state ferry HUBBARD, the first responder to the scene.

The extensive search operation included helicopters from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka, a response boat from Coast Guard Station Juneau, the Seattle-based icebreaker HEALY, the Juneau-based cutter DOUGLAS DENMAN, and numerous civilian volunteers using their personal vessels.

The search began just after the U.S. Coast Guard received the mayday call at 12:07 a.m. Sunday, with the Hubbard arriving and starting a grid search around 1 a.m. The U.S. Coast Guard announced midday Monday it was suspending the search “pending the development of new information.”

Two bodies were found on Monday, December 9^th, 2024, among the wreckage of the fishing vessel, according to Alaska Wildlife Troopers from Juneau and Hoonah. The Alaska National Guard based in Juneau transported Alaska Wildlife Troopers, NOAA Law Enforcement Officers, and SEADOGS K9 search team to the area. The U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies are continuing to investigate the incident and monitor the area.

U.S. Coast Guard public affairs officer Travis Magee said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of the missing individuals during this unimaginably difficult time.” He added, “We are deeply appreciative of the quick and dedicated response of the crew of motor vessel Hubbard who responded to our broadcast, arrived on scene first and assisted with search efforts.”

We share our deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers with the families and friends during this time of tremendous grief. To see the likely next steps after a tragedy like this, see our previous post regarding the Scandies Rose disaster.