A 15-year-old was missing after an 18-foot fishing skiff failed to return near Alaska; rescuers found him clinging to the capsized vessel about 4 miles offshore

A 15-year-old boy was rescued after he was found clinging to an overturned fishing boat about four miles east of St. Lawrence Island in Alaska. The Coast Guard located him on Monday afternoon after three boaters had been reported missing. Two other people were found dead in the water.According to USGS, the three had been reported missing after their 18-foot fishing boat failed to return as expected. Alaska State Troopers notified authorities about the missing boaters at about 8.30 pm on Sunday after the vessel was confirmed to be overdue. The boat had last been seen on Friday after leaving the area of Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island.The boat was expected to return to St. Lawrence Island at about 3 am on Sunday. However, it did not return, leading to a search operation. Weather conditions and poor visibility prevented Coast Guard crews from beginning their search until Monday morning.The search eventually led rescuers to the capsized vessel, where the teenager was still holding on. At about 3 pm, a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak spotted the survivor. The aircraft crew dropped a raft and survival equipment to help with the rescue.Teen found suffering from hypothermiaThe 15-year-old was experiencing symptoms of hypothermia when he was rescued from the overturned skiff. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing body temperature to fall to dangerously low levels.After locating the teenager, Coast Guard watchstanders at the Arctic District command centre coordinated his rescue with the Northwest Explorer, a nearby good Samaritan vessel. The aircraft crew had to leave the area to refuel, but before doing so, they deployed a line of flares to help guide the vessel towards the overturned boat.The Northwest Explorer reached the capsized skiff and took the teenager aboard. The same vessel also recovered the two other boaters, who were found unresponsive in the water. The survivor and the remains of the two deceased boaters were later transported to Nome, a city in western Alaska.Officials did not identify the three boaters. CBS News reported that the two people who died were the teenager's brother and cousin, citing the Anchorage Daily News. The teenager reportedly told the captain of the Northwest Explorer that he had remained clinging to the capsized boat for several days.“That is one remarkably tough kid, is all I can say,” captain Adam White told the Anchorage Daily News.Multiple aircraft joined the searchThe rescue operation involved several agencies and aircraft. The Coast Guard Arctic District coordinated the search with the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing units, the 211th Rescue Squadron and 212th Rescue Squadron from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska State Troopers and local authorities in Savoonga.Two HC-130 aircraft and two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak were launched during the operation. A 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130 with 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angels also assisted in the search.Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard's Arctic District, expressed condolences to the families and communities affected by the deaths.“Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and communities affected by the tragic loss of these two mariners," Little said. “We are grateful for the incredible efforts of the motor vessel Northwest Explorer, Federal, State, Village first responders and mission partners who assisted in the effort that resulted in a life saved.”Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.