Jan Tjosvoll Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

Jan

Tjosvoll

23

White / Caucasian

Male

In the unforgiving waters of the Bering Sea, a young man named Jan Martin Tjosvoll, just 23 years old, was working aboard the fishing vessel Flying Cloud. On November 19, 1989, in a location approximately 100 miles east of St. Paul, Alaska, a catastrophic event unfolded. A cable on the vessel suddenly broke, and the immense force of the snapping line knocked Jan overboard into the frigid Alaskan waters. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a gray wool sweater, a yellow "Stormy Seas" hooded raincoat, bib-type rain pants, and a hard hat. On his feet, he wore brown Xtratuf rubber boots. The moments following the incident were likely a blur of emergency and distress for the crew of the Flying Cloud. The harsh environment of the Bering Sea, known for its cold temperatures and rough conditions, would have made any immediate rescue attempt incredibly challenging. The vastness of the ocean and the speed at which a person can be separated from a vessel in such conditions created a dire situation. Despite any efforts that may have been made by his fellow crew members, Jan was tragically lost to the sea. The official report of Jan's disappearance paints a stark picture of the dangers faced by those who make their living on the waters of Alaska. The case is a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the sea and the inherent risks of the commercial fishing industry. The incident aboard the 111-foot steel trawler Flying Cloud that day resulted in the loss of a crew member, a young man with his life ahead of him. The circumstances of his disappearance, a sudden and violent accident, left little hope for his survival in the icy Bering Sea, and his case remains a painful memory of a life cut short.

Nov 19, 1989

Dutch Harbor

Alaska

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07/24/2026