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Case Description

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James left Sitka on a 27ft by 8ft sailing vessel Tachyon (AK5603K) to Elfin Cove. He never arrived. Hull number CTYL3012M77B
Last Seen: Feb 24, 2006

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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Victim Details

Mar 17, 2020

Dec 21, 2023

James

Lewis, Jr

74

56

74 inches

225 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In February 2006, 56-year-old James L. Lewis, Jr. embarked on a solo sailing trip from Sitka, Alaska, aboard his 27-foot vessel, the Tachyon. A resident of Sitka, he was described as a Caucasian male, standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 225 pounds, with blond or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes. His intended destination was Elfin Cove, a small fishing community located on Chichagof Island. Lewis, an experienced sailor, was traveling alone on his vessel, which had the hull number CTYL3012M77B and the registration number AK5603K. The journey he undertook required navigating the often-unpredictable and challenging waters of the Gulf of Alaska, a testament to his confidence in his maritime skills. The alarm was raised when James Lewis, Jr. failed to arrive at Elfin Cove as planned. The silence from the typically communicative sailor grew into a significant concern for those who knew him. Authorities were notified, and a search was initiated for the missing man and his sailboat. The vast and rugged Alaskan coastline, with its numerous inlets, islands, and often severe weather conditions, presented a formidable challenge to search and rescue teams. Despite their efforts, there was no sign of Lewis or the Tachyon. The absence of any wreckage, distress signals, or communication from him created a perplexing and deeply troubling mystery for investigators and his loved ones. The disappearance of James Lewis, Jr. remains an unresolved case, leaving a void of unanswered questions. He seemingly vanished without a trace after setting sail from Sitka. The circumstances of his disappearance point to a maritime incident, but without the recovery of his vessel or any personal effects, the exact nature of what transpired is unknown. The case is a somber reminder of the inherent dangers of the sea, particularly in the untamed wilderness of Alaska. For years, the hope for answers has persisted for his family and the community, a poignant narrative of a man who ventured into the vast expanse of the ocean and never returned. The Sitka Police Department and the Alaska State Troopers continue to list him as a missing person, a cold case that awaits any new information that might finally shed light on his fate.

Feb 24, 2006

Sitka

Alaska

Sitka Borough

No

77785

Sitka Police Department

Sitka

Alaska

Sitka Borough

99835

304 Lake Street, Suite 102, Alaska

9077473245

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.sitkapd.com/

06-0624

Sitka Police Department

8556

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

06/30/2026


Area Last Seen: