Carlos Santiago Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Mar 22, 2024

Carlos

Santiago

64

45

Asian

Male

On December 8, 2004, a then 45-year-old crew member named Carlos F. Santiago was aboard the Motor Vessel Selendang Ayu when a catastrophic event unfolded off the coast of Unalaska, Alaska. The Malaysian-flagged bulk carrier was en route from Seattle, Washington, to Xiamen, China, with a cargo of soybeans, when it suffered a critical engine failure in the turbulent waters of the Bering Sea. For two days, the massive vessel drifted helplessly, battling fierce winds and heavy seas. Despite the valiant efforts of the crew and responding tugboats, the ship ultimately ran aground near Spray Cape, where the relentless force of the waves caused it to break in two. The grounding of the Selendang Ayu precipitated a perilous rescue operation coordinated by the U.S. Coast Guard. As conditions worsened, helicopters were dispatched to evacuate the 26 members of the crew. During the evacuation of the final group of sailors, a Coast Guard helicopter was suddenly engulfed by a massive wave, causing its engine to flame out and the aircraft to crash into the frigid sea. While the three Coast Guard personnel and one of the ship's crew members were rescued from the water, Carlos Santiago and five of his fellow crewmen were tragically lost. The men were plunged into the 43-degree water, and despite an extensive search covering hundreds of miles of coastline and ocean, they were never found. The search was officially suspended after three days, with little hope for their survival in the harsh conditions. The incident resulted in a significant environmental disaster, as the fractured vessel released an estimated 350,000 gallons of fuel oil and diesel into the pristine Alaskan waters, leading to one of the state's most severe oil spills since the Exxon Valdez. The spill had a devastating impact on the local ecosystem, oiling miles of shoreline and harming marine wildlife. The case of Carlos Santiago is a somber reminder of the perils of maritime travel and the unforgiving nature of the sea. Along with his five shipmates, he is presumed to have perished in the tragic accident. The official investigation into the grounding pointed to the initial engine failure as the primary cause, compounded by the severe weather that thwarted all attempts to save the ship. The disappearance of Carlos Santiago is intrinsically linked to this major maritime and environmental event that unfolded in the remote and rugged landscape of the Aleutian Islands.

Dec 08, 2004

Unalaska

Alaska

Aleutians West Census Area

No

77821

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

040095117

2004-12-08

Alaska State Troopers

Black

Brown

Brown

06/30/2026