Travis Kapp Missing Person Case

Dec 05, 2024

Dec 05, 2024

Travis

Kapp

46

45

67 inches

150 lbs

Uncertain

Male

In the early hours of December 1, 2024, the 50-foot commercial fishing vessel, F/V Wind Walker, capsized near Point Couverden in the unforgiving waters of Alaska's Icy Strait. Onboard was 45-year-old Travis Kapp, the vessel's owner and operator, along with four other crew members: Michael Brown, Emilio Celaya-Talamantez, Jacob Hannah, and Alex Ireland. At approximately 12:10 a.m., the U.S. Coast Guard received a distress call from the crew, a grim mayday message stating the vessel was "overturning" amidst treacherous conditions. The area was being battered by heavy snow, fierce 60 mph winds, and six-foot seas, creating a perilous situation for the fishermen. A massive search and rescue operation was immediately launched by the U.S. Coast Guard, involving an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot response boat. They were joined by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, M/V Hubbard, which was the first to arrive at the scene of the distress call. Over the course of 24 hours, the combined efforts covered more than 108 square nautical miles. Searchers discovered seven empty cold-water immersion suits, some of which were confirmed to belong to the Wind Walker, as well as two strobe lights. Despite the extensive search in the harsh weather, no signs of the five crew members were found, and the active search was suspended pending new information. In the days that followed, the tragic outcome of the incident became clearer. On December 9, 2024, the bodies of two crew members were discovered on a beach in Spasski Bay, among debris from the Wind Walker. This prompted a renewed search of the shoreline, but no other victims were located. Later, in the spring of 2025, the NOAA Ship Fairweather conducted an underwater survey and was able to find what is likely the precise location of the sunken F/V Wind Walker. The case of Travis Kapp, a man described as having a passion for being a father and for his life as a commercial fisherman, concluded with the heartbreaking reality that he, along with his entire crew, was lost to the sea. The incident stands as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who make their living in Alaska's challenging waters.

Dec 01, 2024

Point Couverden

Alaska

Haines Borough

Point Couverden

No

159288

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK24121323

2024-12-01

Alaska State Troopers

Brown

Blue

Blue

Yes

07/20/2026