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Case Description

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Yamada went missing after falling overboard from fishing vessel Heather Sea in the Gulf of Alaska approximately 300 mi S of Kodiak in the Gulf of Alaska. Had been complaining of sea sickness and headaches 24 hours prior.
Last Seen: Feb 01, 2001

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Victim Details

Mar 17, 2020

May 14, 2024

Yamada

Yoshinyuky

77

54

Asian

Male

In the vast and often unforgiving waters of the Gulf of Alaska, a 54-year-old fisherman named Yamada Yoshinyuky vanished on February 1, 2001. He was aboard the fishing vessel Heather Sea, approximately 300 miles south of Kodiak, Alaska, when the incident occurred. The day leading up to his disappearance, Yoshinyuky had reportedly been feeling unwell, complaining of sea sickness and headaches to his fellow crew members. What started as a routine fishing expedition turned into a perplexing mystery, leaving his family and colleagues with unanswered questions. The circumstances of how he went overboard remain unclear, adding to the distress of his loved ones. The official report filed with the Alaska State Troopers details that Yamada Yoshinyuky fell overboard from the Heather Sea. The immense and turbulent nature of the Gulf of Alaska would have made any immediate rescue attempt incredibly challenging. The vastness of the search area, combined with the harsh marine environment, presented significant obstacles for any search and rescue operations that would have been launched. Details regarding the extent and duration of the search are not readily available in public records, but the outcome was that Yoshinyuky was not found. The lack of specific information about his clothing or any personal items he may have had with him further complicates the case. The case of Yamada Yoshinyuky is a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who make their living on the open sea. With no witnesses to the exact moment he went into the water, investigators were left with a very limited scope of information. Over two decades have passed since he was last seen, and his case remains a painful and unresolved chapter for his family. The investigation, managed by the Alaska State Troopers, holds the few official details of that day. The overview of this case is one of a sudden and tragic disappearance at sea, where the powerful and unpredictable nature of the ocean became the final, silent witness.

Feb 01, 2001

Kodiak

Alaska

Kodiak Island Borough

No

77826

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

010017632

Alaska State Troopers

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

07/04/2026


Area Last Seen: