The U.S. Coast Guard will continue helping look for the crew of a Korean fishing boat that sank in the Bering Sea, although Korean rescuers are increasing their role in the search.
Sixty crewmembers were reported on board the Oryong 501 when it sank about 95 miles off Chukotka’s Cape Navarin on Nov. 30. A total of 27 bodies have been recovered and 26 crewmembers are still missing.
Once the vessel’s emergency beacon was activated, the Coast Guard said they immediately flew C-130 aircraft out of Kodiak and dispatched two cutters to the site in international waters.
“The sympathies of the Coast Guard go out to those impacted by this tragedy,” said Rear Adm. Daniel Abel, head of the Coast Guard’s 17th District. “To the families of those known to have perished, we certainly grieve with them.”
Abel said the cutter Alex Haley will resume the search this week. Abel says they will also help the Koreans plan the search.
image credit Matt Miller/KTOO
