In the quiet fishing community of Haines, Alaska, a feeling of unease settled over the residents in the autumn of 2012. Theodore 'Ted' Lynch, a 61-year-old lifelong fisherman, had been reported missing. On October 23, 2012, while commercial shrimping in the unpredictable waters of the Taiya Inlet, a fjord situated between Haines and Skagway, Lynch tragically went overboard from his vessel, the Darlin' Michelle. A deckhand who was present at the time of the incident quickly alerted the Coast Guard, sparking an immediate and extensive search for the missing fisherman.
The search for Ted Lynch was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies and local volunteers who were all hoping for a positive outcome. The Coast Guard dispatched a Jayhawk helicopter and a C-130 airplane to scan the waters from above, while an Alaska State Troopers' boat and several other fishing vessels from the Haines area combed the surface of the inlet. A local air tour company and a scheduled flight even joined in the aerial search, demonstrating the community's collective spirit in the face of adversity. Despite the clear and sunny skies on that Tuesday afternoon, strong winds of up to 35 miles per hour and two-foot seas created challenging conditions for the search teams. After covering 20 square miles, the official search was regretfully suspended.
Theodore Lynch was a well-known and respected figure in the Alaskan fishing community. Born and raised in Wrangell, he had spent his life on the water, participating in nearly all of Alaska's major fisheries. His experience spanned from the Dutch Harbor and the Pribilof Islands to Bristol Bay and Kodiak, and he had even fished for tuna with his brothers in the warmer waters of Hawaii. Those who knew him remembered his calm and gentle demeanor, and a smile that he was always quick to share. The news of his disappearance sent a wave of sorrow through the close-knit communities he was a part of. The investigation into his disappearance remains open, a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who make their living from the sea.
Last Seen: Oct 23, 2012
