Justino Opoll Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Jul 23, 2024

Justino

Opoll

62

39

67 inches

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

On April 2, 2001, 39-year-old Justino O. Opoll, a male crew member, vanished along with the fishing vessel Arctic Rose in the frigid waters of the Bering Sea. The vessel was last located about 205 miles northwest of St. Paul Island, Alaska. Opoll and the 14 other crew members aboard the 92-foot trawler were lost in what is considered one of the most tragic commercial fishing accidents in recent American history. The weather at the time was treacherous, with winds reported at 45 knots and waves reaching up to 24 feet. The sinking was so sudden that no mayday call was ever made; authorities were only alerted to the disaster by the vessel's emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). A massive search and rescue operation was launched by the U.S. Coast Guard, involving aircraft and cutters combing the area. The searchers discovered a debris field, an oil sheen, and an empty life raft, but tragically, no survivors. The only body recovered was that of the ship's captain. The extensive search efforts were ultimately hampered by the severe weather and poor visibility, and had to be called off, leaving the families of the 14 other crew members, including Justino Opoll, without closure. The loss of the Arctic Rose and its entire crew sent shockwaves through the close-knit fishing community and prompted a thorough investigation into the cause of the sinking. The subsequent U.S. Coast Guard investigation revealed a number of concerning factors that likely contributed to the catastrophe. Investigators located the wreckage of the Arctic Rose on the ocean floor and, using a remotely operated vehicle, discovered that a watertight door on the processing deck was open. The investigation concluded that the vessel had undergone significant structural changes that may have compromised its stability, and that it was not in compliance with its operating instructions. It was also found that many of the crew members were inexperienced and had not received adequate safety training. The investigation suggested that waves likely crashed through the open door, rapidly flooding the vessel and causing it to sink in a matter of minutes. The tragic case of Justino Opoll and the Arctic Rose underscores the inherent dangers of the commercial fishing industry. The vessel, which had a history of mechanical problems, was found to have had unauthorized modifications that could have affected its stability. The crew was comprised of many inexperienced fishermen, some of whom were foreign nationals working under assumed names. The investigation's findings pointed to a combination of factors, including the open watertight door and the vessel's potential instability, as the likely cause of the rapid sinking. This devastating incident led to calls for improved safety regulations and oversight within the fishing industry.

Apr 02, 2001

Dillingham

Alaska

Dillingham Census Area

No

77305

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

010019662

2001-04-02

Alaska State Troopers

Brown

Brown

Brown

07/03/2026