Richard Bennett Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

Richard

Bennett

28

White / Caucasian

Male

In the vast and often unforgiving expanse of the Alaskan waters, the story of Richard Harold Bennett, a 28-year-old man, became one of many maritime mysteries. On September 9, 1986, Bennett was aboard the fishing vessel, the Normar II, when it tragically sank in the Bering Sea. The last known location of the vessel was approximately 70 miles northeast of the Pribilof Islands, a remote area known for its harsh and unpredictable weather. Richard, along with his fellow crew members Kenneth Ridgley, Fred Halsworth, and Annabelle Moser, vanished into the frigid waters, leaving behind questions that have lingered for decades. The Normar II, a steel-hulled diesel-powered fishing vessel, reportedly swamped and capsized on September 11, 1986, about 120 miles northeast of Saint Paul Island. In the wake of the vessel's disappearance, a significant search and rescue operation was launched. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Boutwell, a helicopter, and two C-130 aircraft were dispatched to the area, joined by a fleet of 38 fishing vessels, all combing the waves for any sign of the four missing crew members. Despite these extensive efforts, no survivors were found, and the vastness of the Bering Sea held its secrets close. The search was a testament to the maritime community's solidarity, yet it yielded no solace for the families of the lost. The disappearance of Richard Bennett and his crewmates is a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who make their living on the sea. The case is a narrative of a day that began like any other in the demanding world of commercial fishing but ended in a tragedy that would forever alter the lives of four families. The sinking of the Normar II underscores the immense power of nature and the inherent risks of a life lived on the water. The lack of survivors or wreckage left a void of information, making closure an elusive concept for the loved ones of Richard Bennett, Kenneth Ridgley, Fred Halsworth, and Annabelle Moser, their story now a part of the long and somber history of those lost to the Alaskan seas.

Sep 09, 1986

Dutch Harbor

Alaska

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07/23/2026