Vernon McGee Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Jun 14, 2024

Vernon

McGee

67

49

72 inches

193 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the quiet coastal community of Juneau, Alaska, 49-year-old Vernon Dale McGee, also known as Vern, was preparing for a sea journey in February 2008. On February 20th, he and fellow fisherman Michael Dunne departed from Juneau aboard the 35-foot wooden troller, the "Transition." Their destination was Ketchikan, a familiar route for those navigating the challenging Alaskan waters. However, what began as a routine trip soon turned into a disquieting mystery as the "Transition" and its two-person crew vanished without a trace. The vessel never reached its intended port, and all communication was lost, prompting grave concern among family, friends, and the wider maritime community. As days turned into weeks with no sign of the "Transition" or its crew, an extensive search was launched by the U.S. Coast Guard. The search and rescue teams scoured the vast and often treacherous waters between Juneau and Ketchikan, a region known for its unpredictable weather and rugged coastline. Despite their exhaustive efforts, the search yielded little more than a single clue. A door, believed to be from the "Transition," was discovered on Kupreanof Island in Frederick Sound. This solitary piece of debris was the only physical evidence to surface from the vessel's disappearance. The boat itself, along with Vernon McGee and Michael Dunne, was never found. The lack of evidence and the vastness of the Alaskan wilderness left authorities with few answers. In the absence of any further findings, both Vernon McGee and Michael Dunne are presumed to be deceased, lost to the sea in the tragic disappearance of the fishing vessel "Transition." The case officially remains open, a painful and unresolved chapter for the families and the close-knit community of Juneau. The disappearance serves as a somber reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those who make their living on the unpredictable waters of Alaska, leaving behind a legacy of unanswered questions and the enduring mystery of what happened to the "Transition" and its crew during their fateful journey in February of 2008.

Feb 20, 2008

Juneau

Alaska

Juneau Borough

No

77690

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

080015435

2008-02-27

Alaska State Troopers

8505

Brown

Brown

Brown

06/28/2026