On September 12, 2003, a tragic incident unfolded in the waters of Hoonah Sound, near the west end of Peril Strait in Alaska, involving 35-year-old James Eugene Decker of Juneau. He was aboard a skiff with three other individuals, reported to be his father and two brothers, setting shrimp gear when the small vessel capsized and sank. The unforgiving Alaskan waters immediately presented a life-threatening situation for all four men who were suddenly thrown into the cold sound.
The event triggered a swift response as search and rescue efforts were launched in the hopes of finding survivors in the vast and challenging marine environment.
The outcome of the capsizing was devastatingly mixed. Two of the four men, identified as Ken Decker Sr. and his son Tim Decker, were located and survived the ordeal. However, the search for the other two family members yielded a grim discovery when one of them, Ken Decker Jr., was found deceased. Despite the intensive search efforts that followed, crews were unable to locate James Decker. The search for him was eventually suspended, leaving his family and community with unanswered questions and the heavy burden of his disappearance. The Alaska State Troopers opened a case for the missing fisherman, documenting the last known circumstances of his life.
The disappearance of James Decker remains a painful memory for those who knew him and a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who make their living on the Alaskan seas. With no further signs of him found, he is considered lost to the waters of Hoonah Sound. The incident, which claimed the life of one brother and left another missing, stands as a significant maritime loss for the region in 2003. The case underscores the unpredictable nature of the sea and the profound impact such tragedies have on families and tight-knit coastal communities. The investigation into the sinking and the subsequent search efforts were thorough, but ultimately, the sound held its secrets, and James Decker was never brought home.Last Seen: Sep 12, 2003
