Daniel Mcdonald Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

Daniel

Mcdonald

37

White / Caucasian

Male

On January 29, 1989, Daniel Frank McDonald, a 37-year-old male from Dillingham, Alaska, was a passenger on the 98-foot steel crab fishing vessel, the Vestfjord. The vessel was on a voyage from Seattle, Washington, to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, when it encountered a severe storm. In the midst of hurricane-force winds reaching approximately 70 mph and 30-foot seas, the Vestfjord sent out a mayday signal. The crew reported the vessel was sinking under the weight of accumulating ice. This distress call was the last communication from the Vestfjord, which was lost approximately 30 miles south of the Trinity Islands, just west of Kodiak Island. The United States Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue operation, dispatching aircraft and the cutter Sedge to the last known location of the Vestfjord. However, the severe weather conditions that had overwhelmed the fishing vessel also severely hampered the search efforts. Tragically, the Vestfjord and its six crew members were never found. In addition to Daniel McDonald, the others lost in the incident were skipper Dick LaGary, Kevin Melnick, Richard "Ricky" Kristovich, Doug Harding, and Bill Hodgins. While two of the crew members were eventually found deceased, the specific identities of those recovered are not clearly stated in available information. The disappearance of Daniel McDonald and the sinking of the Vestfjord remain a heartbreaking maritime tragedy. The Alaska State Troopers investigated the incident, and Daniel McDonald is officially listed as a missing person. He is described as having brown hair, blue eyes, and a very noticeable chipped front tooth. The case serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who work in the unpredictable and often treacherous waters off the coast of Alaska. The loss of the Vestfjord and its entire crew highlights the immense power of nature and the profound impact such events have on families and communities. The lack of a definitive resolution, with the vessel and most of its crew never being recovered, leaves a lasting sense of loss and unanswered questions for the loved ones of the missing men.

Jan 29, 1989

Dillingham

Alaska

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07/22/2026