Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP67109)
Nelo George Marciel, a 55-year-old crewman, was last seen on March 22, 1990, aboard the 162-foot fishing trawler, the Aleutian Enterprise. The vessel, operated by Arctic Alaska Fisheries, was located in the Bering Sea, approximately 60 miles south of St. Paul Island, at the time of the incident. Marciel, a resident of San Diego, was one of 31 crew members on board when the vessel capsized and sank.
He is listed as missing along with eight other crewmen: Joseph Alaimo, Matthew Schneider, Jeffrey Houston, Javier Valenzuela, David Jefferies, John Dieterich, Robert McCord, and Robert Davis Jr.
The sinking of the Aleutian Enterprise occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. as the crew was attempting to haul a large catch of fish on board. The fishing net broke, causing a massive volume of fish to spill onto the deck, which resulted in the vessel listing to its port side. Water then began to flood the processing deck through side openings, and despite efforts by the captain and chief engineer to correct the list, the vessel capsized and sank within minutes in about 400 feet of water. Nearby fishing vessels were able to rescue 22 of the crew members from the water and life rafts, but a subsequent search by the Coast Guard and other vessels failed to locate the remaining nine crew members, including Marciel, who are now presumed to be dead.
Investigations following the tragedy by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board revealed multiple safety failures contributed to the sinking. Investigators found that the vessel was not equipped with watertight closures, or "flapper plates," on the hull openings for discharging fish processing waste, which allowed for rapid down-flooding. The investigation also cited a lack of safety training for the crew, including improper abandon ship drills and inaccessible survival gear. The captain was faulted for failing to address flooding issues from a previous voyage and for not issuing a timely order to abandon ship. Furthermore, the company, Arctic Alaska Fisheries Corporation, was criticized for its failure to provide adequate crew training, operating procedures, and safety oversight. The tragic incident ultimately led to legal action, with the families of the deceased crewmen filing claims totaling over $100 million.Last Seen: Mar 22, 1990
