In the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Bering Sea, 33-year-old Brian McPherson, a male crew member from Dillingham, Alaska, was last seen on February 10, 1991. He was aboard the 98-foot steel crab fishing vessel, the Barbarossa, which was navigating the icy waters approximately 30 miles west of St. George Island. In the early hours of that day, around 1:00 AM, the Coast Guard received a distress call from the boat.
Another vessel in the area also heard a brief, chilling message: 'i'm going over'. Following the distress signal, the Barbarossa could not be contacted, and it tragically never returned to port.
An extensive search was launched by the U.S. Coast Guard, involving both aircraft and ships, but they were unable to locate the Barbarossa or any of its six crew members. The search was hampered by challenging weather conditions, with 30-knot winds and 14-foot seas. Despite the vessel being equipped with a self-deploying life raft, survival suits, and emergency beacons, no trace of the boat or its crew was ever found. It is presumed that the Barbarossa capsized and sank, taking all hands with it into the depths of the Bering Sea.
The disappearance of the Barbarossa and its crew remains a somber event in Alaska's maritime history. Brian McPherson was lost at sea along with five other crewmen: Donald Bright, George Brandenburg, Dennis Olberding, Timothy Schmitt, and Darrell Gross. The case serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by those who make their living on the treacherous waters of the Bering Sea. The men of the Barbarossa were experienced fishermen, yet they fell victim to the unpredictable and powerful forces of nature. The incident left a lasting impact on the tight-knit fishing community of Kodiak, where several of the crew members were from. The story of the Barbarossa is one of sudden and tragic loss, a mystery that the sea has yet to relinquish.Last Seen: Feb 10, 1991
