KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard is searching for three missing boaters who were reported overdue in the vicinity of Prince William Sound, Tuesday morning.
Coast Guard Sector Anchorage command center watchstanders received an overdue report from Alaska State Troopers in Soldotna that three boaters on a white 24-foot Bayliner with a gray top had not returned from a two-day fishing trip that started Sunday morning. The vessel was scheduled to return by midnight Monday evening. Coast Guard Cutter Long Island was launched from Valdez, and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew forward deployed in Cordova was diverted from another incident to aid in the search.
The cutter and Jayhawk crew arrived on scene early Tuesday morning and began searching for the three missing people.
A Coast Guard Station Valdez 45-foot Response Boat – Medium was also launched to assist in the search.
A family friend informed the Coast Guard that the operator of the Bayliner has flares, a 7-foot orange Zodiac inflatable boat and extra gas onboard.
Missing are John Dimmick, 40, Mark Valdez, 28, and Cory Bicchinella, 25, from Anchorage.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the missing boaters should contact Sector Anchorage at (907) 428-4100.
