Vanished in the Aleutians: The Unsolved Disappearance of John Courage from Unalaska

A Night at the Harbor View Bar

On the night of December 29, 2010, John Courage, a 56-year-old commercial fisherman, was last seen at the Unisea Harbor View Bar in Unalaska, Alaska. Known for its tight-knit community and bustling fishing industry, Unalaska is a place where residents often gather at local establishments after long days at sea. Courage, a crew member of the fishing vessel F/V Alaska Trojan, was enjoying an evening ashore, a common respite for those who work the demanding schedules of the Bering Sea fisheries.

Witnesses recall Courage in good spirits that evening, engaging in conversations and enjoying the camaraderie typical among fishermen. However, as the night progressed into the early hours of December 30, Courage failed to return to his vessel. When the Alaska Trojan prepared to depart, his absence was immediately noted, prompting concern among his crewmates and initiating a search effort.

The Search and Immediate Aftermath

Upon realizing Courage was missing, the Unalaska Department of Public Safety was notified. Given the harsh and unpredictable weather conditions of the Aleutian Islands, time was of the essence. Search efforts were launched, focusing on the areas surrounding the Harbor View Bar and the docks where Courage would have likely traveled to return to his vessel. Despite thorough searches by local authorities and volunteers, no trace of Courage was found.

The disappearance was particularly troubling given the proximity of the bar to the docks and the routine nature of the route Courage would have taken. The lack of witnesses or surveillance footage capturing his movements after leaving the bar added to the mystery....Read More

Share

Comments (0)

Leave A Comment