Teen Boy Rescued After Days Afloat in the Bering Sea
Derek Parker Aghnaanga, a 15‑year‑old fishing apprentice from the sparsely populated island of St. Lawrence, spent three harrowing days clinging to the overturned 18‑ft skiff that capsized off its coast on Saturday. The vessel had left the island on Friday, bound to return Sunday afternoon, but did not re‑appear, prompting a Coast Guard search.
On Monday morning the Coast Guard aircrew spotted the boy perched atop the wrecked craft. A nearby good Samaritan vessel, stationed a few hundred meters away, used a pulley system to haul him aboard. The boy, who had endured days without food or water, exhibited signs of hypothermia but remained calm, reportedly praying throughout.
Earlier that night a fisherman, Captain Adam White, told KTUU‑TV that Derek had clung to the skiff through darkness, water temperatures hovering near 50 °F (10 °C). He added that Derek’s brother was still trapped beneath the overturned hull and his cousin had slipped away the night before, both souls later recovered by the same vessel.
Rear Admiral Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard’s Arctic District, expressed “our hearts go out to the families, friends and communities affected by the tragic loss” of the two mariners.
After the ordeal, Derek’s mother Vina Kulowiyi reflected on her son’s enduring role as a provider for the 800‑resident community of Savoonga, a Siberian Yupik‑influenced village that relies on fishing to supply meat to nearby stores.
He is now recuperating at home, with family noting that his composure was remarkable amid the extreme conditions and that he continually kept his faith alive. The incident underscores the vulnerability and resilience of Arctic fishing communities in the face of sudden maritime disaster.
