Larry Jones Missing Person Case

Feb 27, 2018

Mar 13, 2024

Larry

Jones

57

26

71 inches

230 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the vast and unforgiving expanse of the Gulf of Alaska, the story of Larry T. Jones and the crew of the F/V Fierce Competitor serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who make their living from the sea. On October 26, 1994, Larry, a 27-year-old man from Sitka, Alaska, along with four other individuals, vanished without a trace. The 105-foot crabber was en route from Warrenton, Oregon, to King Cove, Alaska, when it disappeared. The others on board were the vessel's skipper, Robert Simonsen, his wife Vicki Rowe-Simonsen, Keithly Young, and Gordon Young. The last known communication from the vessel marked the beginning of a mystery that has endured for decades, leaving families and friends with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. The journey of the Fierce Competitor was intended to be a routine trip for the experienced crew, most of whom hailed from Warrenton, Oregon. However, the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Alaska proved to be a formidable adversary. In the days following the vessel's last contact, concern grew, and a search was initiated. The only trace of the Fierce Competitor ever found was its life raft, spotted 450 miles southeast of Kodiak. It was located approximately 50 miles from where an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) signal had been detected. Hopes of finding the crew alive were quickly diminished as reports indicated no signs of life on or around the raft, and severe weather conditions hampered any attempts at retrieval. The vastness of the ocean and the harsh conditions ultimately led to the suspension of the search, leaving the fate of Larry Jones and the other four crew members unknown. The disappearance of the F/V Fierce Competitor left an indelible mark on the tight-knit fishing communities of the Pacific Northwest. For the families of Larry Jones, the Simonsens, and the Youngs, the lack of closure has been an enduring source of pain. The case serves as a stark illustration of the inherent dangers of commercial fishing, an industry where individuals often work in extreme conditions, far from the safety of shore. The story of the Fierce Competitor is one of five souls lost to the sea, their final moments and the exact circumstances of the vessel's disappearance remaining a mystery. It is a narrative of loss that highlights the courage and sacrifice of those who work in one of the world's most dangerous professions, and the profound and lasting impact their absence has on those they leave behind.

Oct 26, 1994

Sitka

Alaska

Sitka Borough

No

32618

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

940072042

1994-11-03

Alaska State Troopers

10545

Brown

Brown

Brown

07/10/2026