In the unforgiving waters of the Bering Sea, the life of a commercial fisherman is one of constant peril. For 42-year-old Keith Alan Criner, a seasoned fisherman from Stockton, California, a routine day at work on January 6, 2009, turned into a tragedy from which he would not return. Known affectionately as 'Moose' to his friends and colleagues, Criner was working aboard the 109-foot fishing vessel, the Seabrooke, in the frigid waters approximately 22 miles northwest of Cold Bay, Alaska. While in the process of setting crab pots, a standard but dangerous task, Keith became entangled in a crab pot line and was pulled overboard into the icy sea. The incident occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m., and despite the immediate response of the Seabrooke's crew, Keith was quickly lost from sight in the harsh conditions.
The U.S. Coast Guard was notified of the man overboard situation at 9:55 a.m. and promptly launched a comprehensive search and rescue operation. Two helicopters, an MH-60 Jayhawk and an H-65 Dolphin, were dispatched from Cold Bay and arrived on the scene at 11 a.m. A C-130 aircraft from Air Station Kodiak also joined the search, though its efforts were hampered by low cloud ceilings and snow squalls, forcing it to maintain a higher altitude. At the time of the incident, the weather conditions were challenging, with 15 mph winds, three to five-foot seas, a water temperature of 34 degrees, and an air temperature of 19 degrees. Keith was reportedly wearing orange rain gear when he went into the water. Despite the extensive search covering 132 square miles over eleven separate searches, no sign of Keith was ever found.
After a daylong effort that stretched into the next morning, the U.S. Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend the search for Keith Criner at 11:49 a.m. on January 7, 2009. He was declared lost at sea, a heartbreaking conclusion for his family, friends, and the tight-knit community of commercial fishermen. A memorial service was later held for him in his hometown of Stockton, California, on April 4, 2009. The case of Keith Alan Criner serves as a somber reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those who make their living on the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea, where a single moment can lead to devastating consequences. His disappearance is a profound loss to his family, which includes his father, numerous sisters and brothers, and his shipmates out of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The incident underscores the unforgiving nature of the sea and the risks that fishermen courageously confront in their demanding profession.
Last Seen: Jan 6, 2009
