Alaska News

Boater found dead ashore, another remains missing near Sitka

One man is dead and another remains missing after a boat ran aground Sunday in Peril Strait north of Sitka, authorities said.

The Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers, Sitka fire and dive teams, and the Sitka Mountain Rescue Group were searching air, water and ground to find the missing man, identified by the Coast Guard as Sean Poffenbarger.

The Coast Guard suspended its search Monday night.

"We canvassed the water and adjacent shoreline in Peril Strait with air, boat and ground crews for two days to find the missing man," said Lt. Matthew Spado, command duty officer for Sector Juneau.

The search began Sunday afternoon after someone activated an inReach emergency distress signal about 30 miles north of Sitka, the Coast Guard and troopers said. The signal had been activated by a vessel in transit from Sitka to Saook Point.

The body of 49-year-old Sitka resident Sean Elliot was found on a beach in Goose Cove, troopers say. An 18-foot boat was found overturned.

The Coast Guard said the boat ran aground in the area of Pogibshi Point.

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Poffenbarger was thought to be with Elliot on the boat, troopers said.

It's unclear what the nature of Elliot's injuries were, a troopers spokeswoman said Monday. An autopsy hadn't been completed.

Crews searched a 77-square-mile area near the shoreline along Peril Strait for 35 hours in an effort to locate Poffenbarger. The Coast Guard announced they were suspending their search Monday night.

Anyone with information about Poffenbarger or his intended voyage can call the Coast Guard in Juneau at 907-463-2980.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with information about search and rescue crews suspending their search for Sean Poffenbarger. 

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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