Juneau AST dispatch received a mayday reporting a vessel with 7 people on board taking on water. The location given was near Aaron Island about 3 miles NW of Auke Bay. Weather at the time of the incident was rain with winds out of the SE at 16 knots and seas to 3'. Large waves came over the bow of the boat and spun it around, leading the boat to capsize. Several watercraft responded and 6 people were picked out of the water, but a 7th person was not recovered. The capsized boat was eventually hoisted to free the trapped man. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. By all accounts everyone was wearing PFD's.

While returning from a family camping trip, the vessel suddenly encountered moderate to heavy seas and took a series of 4 to 5 waves over the bow. This caused the vessel to turn sideways at which time it took another series of waves over the gunnels causing the vessel to first submerge and then eventually capsize. Six of the seven passengers plus the family dog were able to get free of the vessel, but one victim was trapped inside the cabin when the vessel capsized. Good Samaritan vessels arrived on scene as well as DPS and USCG vessels. All six people in the water were rescued as well as the dog. A commercial vessel was able to lift the bow of the capsized vessel with hydraulic power and a USCG inflatable pulled along side and recovered the body of the 7th man. He was transported by the DPS vessel to a waiting ambulance. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Juneau                        