On February 11, 2017, 32-year-old Raymond Vincler was aboard the fishing vessel Destination in the icy waters near St. George Island, Alaska, when the unthinkable happened. The boat, a 98-foot crab fishing vessel, tragically sank, taking all six crew members with it. Also lost to the Bering Sea that day were Jeffrey Hathaway, Charles Jones, Lawrence O'Grady, Darrik Seibold, and Kai Hamik. At the time of the incident, the vessel was located approximately 4.4 nautical miles northwest of St.
George Island. The crew was preparing to fish for snow crab when they vanished. An extensive search was launched by the U.S. Coast Guard, covering a vast area of the frigid waters, but tragically, no survivors were found. The initial search and rescue efforts were hampered by the harsh weather conditions typical of the Bering Sea in winter.
The disappearance of the F/V Destination and its crew prompted a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board. The investigation revealed a combination of factors that likely contributed to the sinking of the vessel. One significant factor was the heavy accumulation of freezing spray on the boat, which can severely impact a vessel's stability. This, combined with the weight of the crab pots on deck, is believed to have made the Destination dangerously top-heavy and susceptible to capsizing in the rough seas. The investigation also highlighted the challenging and often perilous conditions that fishermen face in the Alaskan crab fishing industry, an environment known for its unforgiving nature. The loss of the Destination serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of this profession.
The sinking of the F/V Destination sent shockwaves through the tight-knit fishing community of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The six men aboard were experienced and respected fishermen, and their loss was deeply felt by their families, friends, and colleagues. Memorials were held to honor the lives of the crew, celebrating their dedication to their work and the sea. The incident also led to renewed discussions and efforts within the fishing industry to improve safety standards and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The case of Raymond Vincler and the crew of the F/V Destination remains a poignant and somber chapter in the history of Alaskan crab fishing, underscoring the profound risks taken by those who make their living on the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea.Last Seen: Feb 11, 2017
