On January 29, 1989, 37-year-old Richard Paul Legary, a male from Dillingham, Alaska, was serving as the skipper of the 97-foot crab fishing vessel, the 'Vestfjord'. The vessel was en route from Seattle, Washington, to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, when it encountered a severe storm. At the time of his disappearance, Legary was described as being 5'10" tall, weighing approximately 185 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. A notable physical characteristic was a scar on his right ear. He was also known by the aliases Dick Lagary, Richard Lagary, Richard Paul Le Gary, Dick Legary, and Dick Legiere.
Caught in the brutal storm approximately 30 miles south of the Trinity Islands, just west of Kodiak Island, the crew of the 'Vestfjord' sent out a mayday call. They reported that the vessel was sinking due to the immense weight of accumulating ice. The severe weather conditions hampered immediate search and rescue efforts by the Coast Guard, which dispatched aircraft and the cutter Sedge to the area. Tragically, the 'Vestfjord' was lost to the sea, along with all six individuals on board.
In the aftermath of the sinking, the bodies of two crew members, Doug Harding and Bill Hodgins, were recovered. However, Richard Legary and three other crewmen, Richard Kristovich, Daniel McDonald, and Kevin Melnick, were never found. The Alaska State Troopers opened an investigation into the disappearances, under case number 890012334. The case serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who work in the treacherous Alaskan waters. The disappearance of Richard Legary and the rest of the 'Vestfjord' crew is a heart-wrenching story of lives claimed by the unforgiving power of nature, leaving their families with unanswered questions and an enduring loss. Richard Legary remains officially listed as a missing person.
Last Seen: Jan 29, 1989
