Last night's episode focused on the search and rescue of survivors from the 93 foot cod processor and fishing vessel Katmai. The Katmai sank between the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean, about 100 miles west of Adak in the Aleutians on October 22, 2008. There were 11 precious souls on board. After abandoning their sinking vessel, Only 4 amazing souls survived after braving 15 grueling hours of clinging near death to a small, battered life raft in the middle of the frozen Bering Sea.
Fighting hypothermia and despair the survivors were lifted from the sea at about 4:30 p.m by the United States Coast Guard. Weather conditions were reported during the search of 50-knot winds from the north (1 knot = 1.15 Mph) waves of17 feet and visibility of merely 3 miles. Two life rafts were deployed from the sinking ship, however only 1 was ever recovered. All of the bodies of the 7 men who perished in the disaster were recovered, except for 2. The Bering Sea will forever remain their final resting place.
I admire the strength and courage of the surviving men who graciously allowed themselves to be interviewed by The Discovery Channel. Thank you for speaking to us. I thank them for reminding me of how precious life is and how quickly it can be stripped away. I admire their tears, pain, anger and love for their friends and family members who were lost that day. I send nothing but love to the families of those left behind. Please keep all of the crewmembers of the F/V Katmai in your prayers, for even those who survived have a long and painful journey ahead.
Fighting hypothermia and despair the survivors were lifted from the sea at about 4:30 p.m by the United States Coast Guard. Weather conditions were reported during the search of 50-knot winds from the north (1 knot = 1.15 Mph) waves of17 feet and visibility of merely 3 miles. Two life rafts were deployed from the sinking ship, however only 1 was ever recovered. All of the bodies of the 7 men who perished in the disaster were recovered, except for 2. The Bering Sea will forever remain their final resting place.
I admire the strength and courage of the surviving men who graciously allowed themselves to be interviewed by The Discovery Channel. Thank you for speaking to us. I thank them for reminding me of how precious life is and how quickly it can be stripped away. I admire their tears, pain, anger and love for their friends and family members who were lost that day. I send nothing but love to the families of those left behind. Please keep all of the crewmembers of the F/V Katmai in your prayers, for even those who survived have a long and painful journey ahead.
In loving memory:
Carlos Martin Zabala
30 Years Old, From Helena Washington (possibly Helena Montana)
Robert Davis
49Years Old, From Deming Washington
Cedric Smith
38 Years Old, From Portland Oregon
Glenn "Scooter" Harper
35 Years Old, From Portland Oregon
Jake Gilman
22 Years Old, From Camas Washington
Joshua Leonguerrero
19 Years Old, From Spanaway Washington
Fuli Lemusu
44 Years Old, From Salem Oregon