Horror on Alaska fishing boat as young crewmember is swept up by net and plunged into ocean

A 21-year-old fisherman has died after being swept into the water with his gear in southwest Alaska, officials said.

Commercial fishing crew member Corwin Wheeler fell from his boat in Kvichak Bay on Friday while fishing for salmon.

At 12:31 pm he received a distress call that he was overboard, after which a rescue operation was launched.

The tides in the bay are among the highest in the world and the operation was ultimately unsuccessful.

Officials said Wheeler first became entangled in his fishing gear before being pulled overboard and into the water. Tributes have since poured in for the young fisherman, led by his father.

“On 07/05/2024 at approximately 12:31 p.m., DPS Patrol Vessel Stimson received a MAYDAY call from a commercial salmon fisherman in Kvichak Bay reporting that he had lost a crew member over the side of his vessel,” the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a statement.

‘AWT [Alaska Wildlife Troops] responded to the area with two patrol boats, arriving just as the reporting vessel had pulled their unconscious crew member from the water.

‘AWT performed lifesaving actions for approximately one hour before the crew member was pronounced dead.

‘Research revealed [he] had become entangled in fishing gear and had been pulled overboard and under water.

‘The relatives have been informed.’

The boy’s father posted a message on Facebook a day later.

“I loved him more than anything in the world,” Jeff Rowe of Illinois wrote Saturday.

“I pray he knows that, and I hope he has found peace. More information will be posted as it becomes available.”

Wheeler is survived by his sister Zoe. His mother and stepfather are currently making arrangements for his funeral.

According to his social media, Corwin lived in Madison and was born in Salem.

Photos show him happily working in the Bering Sea as a salmon fisherman for Alaskan Leader Fisheries.

The company is one of the largest fishing operations in Alaska and owns four super longliners that operate year-round, according to its website.

It profiles itself as one of ‘the most progressive, innovative and vertically integrated “Hook & Line” fishing companies’.[ies] In Alaska, fishing means that anglers fish using a series of baited hooks.

Corwin worked on one of three fishing vessels: the F/V Alaskan Leader, F/V Bristol Leader and the F/V Bering Leader.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the company for comment, as investigators confirm Corwin accidentally became entangled in his gear.

A caller then told officers that the sailor had fallen over the side of the commercial fishing vessel and was sucked under, inhaling a lethal amount of water.

The dangers of working in the Bering Sea are well known. Trawlers generally describe the sea as one of the coldest and most dangerous in the world.

It is one of the most dangerous places to fish in the world. Decorated commercial fisherman Corey Arnold called the sea “a constant storm.”

The bay where Corwin worked was also known for the dangers associated with it.

This species is found on the northeast side of Bristol Bay, near King Salmon.

To be precise, it is found in the upper reaches of the bay, which experiences some of the highest tides in the world.

In some areas, tidal extremes of more than 9 meters have been measured, the eighth highest in the world.

Combined with the large number of shallows, invisible sandbanks and shallow areas, this makes navigation difficult, especially when there are frequent strong winds.

It is also the shallowest part of the Bering Sea, making it one of the most dangerous areas for large ships.