A 15‑year‑old boy named Derek Parker Aghnaanga was found sitting on the overturned skiff that capsized in the frigid waters of Alaska's Bering Sea. The 18‑foot fishing boat set out from St. Lawrence Island on Friday 4 September and was due back Sunday afternoon, but never returned.
Coast Guard pilots located the boy on Monday morning and a nearby rescue vessel pulled him aboard. The same crew recovered the bodies of his older brother and cousin, who were lost at sea.
The rescued teen showed signs of hypothermia, yet he kept the skiff together until help arrived. Captain Adam White thanked the rescue team and echoed that “that’s one tough kid.”
Savoonga, the village of about 800 residents on St. Lawrence Island, is home to many Siberian Yupik people who rely on fishing for food. The incident reminded community leaders of the harsh conditions and the importance of safety at sea.
The boy is now recovering at home and family said he remained calm, praying through the ordeal. His survival story is a testament to resilience under extreme cold and isolation.
