In the early days of March 1989, a young man named Michael Wayne Wheeler, aged 27, vanished from Kodiak, Alaska. He was aboard the fishing vessel Ocean Hope II, a 108-foot longline halibut fishing boat, which was navigating the treacherous waters of the Shelikof Strait. The vessel, along with its entire crew, disappeared under the force of heavy weather, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for decades. The last communication from the Ocean Hope II was on the night of March 2nd, as the crew sought refuge from the storm in Portage Bay.
The Ocean Hope II was not a small vessel, but the Shelikof Strait is known for its unforgiving nature, with the power to overcome even the most seasoned crews and sturdy ships. Alongside Michael Wheeler, three other men were lost to the sea: skipper Jack White, 33, of Kodiak; Dennis Frye, 26; and Daniel Tullar, 26, also of Kodiak. The disappearance of these four men sent a wave of sorrow and uncertainty through their communities, from Kodiak to Michael's hometown of Anacortes, Washington. An extensive search was launched in the days that followed, but the vast and turbulent waters offered few clues. The only piece of the Ocean Hope II ever recovered was a solitary life ring, a haunting reminder of the vessel's final moments.
The disappearance of Michael Wheeler and his fellow crewmen is a somber testament to the perils faced by those who make their living on the sea. The case remains a painful memory for the families and a chilling tale within Alaska's maritime history. With no survivors and minimal wreckage, the exact circumstances of what transpired on the Ocean Hope II during its final hours are unknown. The prevailing theory is that the vessel succumbed to the severe weather, a sudden and violent event that left no opportunity for a distress call. The loss of the Ocean Hope II and its crew serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the risks inherent in the life of a fisherman. The official investigation concluded that Michael Wheeler and the others were presumed to be deceased as a result of the boating accident.
Last Seen: Mar 3, 1989
