In the vast and often unforgiving waters of Alaska, Lawrence 'Larry' J. Tousignant, a 40-year-old man, disappeared on October 13, 1991. He was the captain of the fishing vessel F/V Tonquin and was last seen on the deck of his boat off the coast of Kodiak, Alaska. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance point to a maritime tragedy, as his vessel is believed to have capsized and sunk approximately 30 miles east of Sitkalidak Island, near Twoheaded Island. At the time he went missing, it is thought he may have been wearing a Harley Davidson t-shirt, jeans, and a full survival suit.
Larry was a seasoned fisherman, and by the early 1990s, he was captaining the 86-foot halibut longliner, the F/V Tonquin, operating out of Kodiak Island. On that fateful day in October, the vessel encountered dangerous conditions that led to it overturning in the tumultuous Alaskan waters. While four other crew members were rescued from the incident, Captain Tousignant could not be found. Despite the harrowing efforts of rescuers and the heartbreaking accounts of the survivors, Larry was never seen again. His body was not recovered, and he is presumed to have been lost to the sea.
The investigation into the sinking of the F/V Tonquin and the disappearance of its captain remains an open case with the Alaska State Troopers. The focus of the case is the presumption that Larry Tousignant tragically passed away during the sinking of his vessel. Details about what exactly caused the boat to capsize remain limited. Without the recovery of the vessel or of Captain Tousignant, the specific sequence of events on that day remains unclear. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who make their living on the tempestuous waters off the Alaskan coast.
Last Seen: Oct 13, 1991
