Troopers said Nick Lupie, 33, of Tuntutuliak left Bethel at about 8 p.m. and hasn't been seen since, though his 24-foot boat was discovered near Helmick Point.
Troopers and searchers from Napakiak and Tuntutuliak began a search for Lupie at about 8:30 a.m. Monday, troopers said. The villagers patrolled the water's edge, while a troopers airplane scouted from above.
Troopers say separate searches for two others who are missing and presumed drowned elsewhere in Alaska have so far been unsuccessful. Those suspected deaths and Lupie's disappearance could bring to at least seven the number of people who have drowned in Alaska in the past two weeks.
The search for 22-year-old Kalskag resident George Morgan, who has been missing in the Kuskokwim River since a 10-foot metal skiff he was in sank last week, was characterized Monday as a body recovery mission, troopers said.
Kalskag resident Kalvin Kerr, 24, was with Morgan in the skiff as the pair traveled from Aniak to Kalskag; Kerr managed to swim to shore, troopers said.
Local volunteers continue to search for the body of Morgan, who was not wearing a life jacket, troopers said.
Another man thought to have fallen into the Kenai River last Wednesday also remains missing, according to troopers. Search-and-rescue dogs on Saturday caught a possible scent of the man but officials have yet to find him.
The missing man is believed to be Robert Smithwick, 41, of Soldotna, whose vehicle was found near the Pillars boat launch and who matches the description of a man seen struggling to stay afloat in the river near the boat launch Wednesday, troopers said. Family members told troopers that they have not seen Smithwick since Wednesday.
The disappearances come on the heels of four other drownings across Alaska the weekend of July 16. Three of the four deaths were young men recreating in small boats that capsized. None were wearing flotation devices when they hit the water, troopers said.
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