Roland Briggs Missing Person Case

Jun 06, 2018

Feb 20, 2024

Roland

Briggs

65

55

68 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the remote and challenging waters of Bristol Bay, Alaska, the disappearance of 55-year-old Roland "Rollie" Briggs in the autumn of 2015 left a lasting void in the tight-knit fishing community of Ugashik. A lifelong mariner and commercial fisherman, Briggs was deeply connected to the region. On October 13, 2015, he was last seen in Egegik, Alaska, aboard his 50-foot landing craft, the F/V Ketivik. He was embarking on a familiar journey, transporting a significant load of heating fuel to his home in Ugashik, a trip that should have taken about 18 hours. During the voyage, he spoke with his wife, mentioning the trip was progressing slower than he had anticipated. He was expected to arrive the following day, but he never made it to his destination. The alarm was raised on the morning of October 15, 2015, when Briggs was reported overdue. This triggered an extensive search and rescue operation spearheaded by the U.S. Coast Guard, involving state troopers and numerous volunteers from the local community who took to the air and water. The comprehensive search covered an immense 8,000 square miles of the Bristol Bay region. Searchers involved included an HC-130 aircraft, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and the Coast Guard Cutter Munro. Hopes were briefly raised when debris, including three fuel drums believed to be from the Ketivik, was spotted approximately 25 miles southwest of Ugashik Bay. Despite these findings, there was no sign of Briggs or his vessel. After 54 hours of relentless searching, the Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend the official search, pending any new information. The aftermath of Roland Briggs' disappearance has been one of enduring uncertainty and grief for his family and community. A lifelong resident of the Lake and Peninsula borough, he was not only a fisherman but also an active participant in community affairs. In the absence of further evidence, the search for Briggs transitioned from a rescue to a recovery mission, though no further traces of him or the Ketivik were found. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those who make their living on the unpredictable waters of Alaska. The case remains unresolved, a painful mystery for those who knew him and a somber chapter in the maritime history of the region, highlighting the profound and often sudden losses that can occur at sea.

Oct 13, 2015

Egegik

Alaska

Lake and Peninsula Borough

No

37458

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK15084258

2015-10-15

Alaska State Troopers

10274

Red/Auburn

Blue

Blue

07/21/2026