Satoshi Konno Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Dec 29, 2021

Satoshi

Konno

75

58

72 inches

180 lbs

Asian

Male

In the vast and often perilous waters of the Bering Sea, 58-year-old Satoshi Konno, a respected fish master, was aboard the F/V Alaska Ranger on March 23, 2008. The vessel, a 190-foot catcher-processor, was en route to the fishing grounds off the coast of Alaska when the unimaginable began to unfold. Konno, a Japanese national, was one of 47 crew members whose lives were abruptly placed in jeopardy that day. The events that transpired would mark one of the most significant maritime disasters and subsequent rescue missions in recent Alaskan history, leaving an indelible mark on all those involved and the community of Kodiak from which he was last seen. The morning of March 23, 2008, brought with it treacherous sea conditions as the F/V Alaska Ranger navigated the frigid waters approximately 120 miles west of Dutch Harbor. In the early hours, around 3 a.m., a mayday call was sent out to the Coast Guard, reporting that the ship's rudder room was flooding and the vessel had lost control. The situation escalated rapidly as the relentless influx of water disabled the ship, leading to its eventual sinking. The 47 individuals on board were forced to abandon the vessel, facing the harsh realities of the Bering Sea. A massive search and rescue operation was immediately launched by the U.S. Coast Guard, battling the elements to save the lives of the crew. The extensive rescue efforts that followed were both heroic and heartbreaking. Forty-two of the 47 crew members were pulled from the icy waters alive by Coast Guard helicopters and the crew of another fishing vessel, the Alaska Warrior. Tragically, four crew members were recovered deceased, and Satoshi Konno remained missing. Despite a continued search by the Coast Guard, Konno was never found and is presumed to have been lost at sea. Investigations into the sinking of the Alaska Ranger later determined that the probable cause was uncontrolled, progressive flooding that likely began in the rudder room due to a lack of watertight integrity. The loss of Satoshi Konno serves as a somber reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those who make their living on the sea, and the profound impact such tragedies have on families and tight-knit maritime communities.

Mar 23, 2008

Kodiak

Alaska

Kodiak Island Borough

No

77594

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

080019656

2008-03-23

Alaska State Troopers

na

Black

Brown

Brown

06/28/2026