KODIAK, Alaska – The Coast Guard is searching in challenging weather for three men overdue on a voyage from Valdez to the native village of Tatitlek in Prince William Sound Thursday.
Missing are Ken Keseloff, Jim Gergorieff and Jake West. Keseloff’s niece reported the men overdue about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday when they failed to arrive in the village. They are traveling in an 18-foot camouflage colored aluminum skiff.
The crew of a Coast Guard Station Valdez Response Boat-Small is en route to search the Valdez Narrows, Valdez Arm and the Tatitlek Narrows despite areas of dense fog. A Coast Guard helicopter crew may join the search if condition improve.
An urgent marine information broadcast issued Wednesday night by watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector Anchorage requesting the aid and vigilance of mariners in the area continues to run. Station Valdez attempted a search in the early morning hours Thursday but were turned around due to safety concerns in the dense fog.
The men have a cell phone on board but no radio. Search parties have been unable to contact them. The Coast Guard recommends having multiple forms of communication on board your vessel including VHF-FM radios, satellite phones and cellular phones in addition to signaling devices.
On scene weather is reported as variable winds to 15 mph, seas to 2 feet with fog. Valdez to Tatitlek is about a 28 mile trip.
