William Posey Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

William

Posey

24

White / Caucasian

Male

In the late summer of 1985, a young man named William "Bill" Atkin Posey, just 24 years old, was working as a deckhand in the bountiful but often perilous waters of Alaska. On August 15th of that year, he was aboard the F/V Western Sea, a 58-foot wooden seine boat, in the area of Kodiak. The vessel, along with its entire crew, was last seen in Marmot Bay, a stretch of water situated between Kodiak and Afognak Islands. Tragically, this would be the last time anyone would see or hear from Bill Posey. He, along with the other five crew members, vanished into the vastness of the Alaskan sea, leaving behind questions and a profound sense of loss that would linger for decades. The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the F/V Western Sea and its crew, including Bill Posey, point to a sudden and catastrophic event. The vessel is presumed to have sunk on or around August 19, 1985. Search and rescue efforts were launched, and while debris from the Western Sea, including its pilot house and a life preserver, was discovered east of Long Island, the boat itself was never found. The bodies of the captain, Jerald Bouchard, and two other crewmen, Peter Barry and Stewart Darling, were eventually recovered. However, William Posey and another deckhand, Chris Hofer, were never located, their bodies likely claimed by the cold, unforgiving waters of Marmot Bay. An investigation into the sinking of the F/V Western Sea revealed a troubling lack of basic safety equipment on the 70-year-old vessel. It was determined that the boat was not equipped with a life raft, survival suits, or an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), all of which could have potentially saved the lives of the crew. Further investigation brought to light concerning details about the vessel's captain. An autopsy revealed the presence of cocaine in his system, and a former crewman who had quit shortly before the final voyage cited fears for his safety and concerns about the captain and the boat's condition. The case of William Posey is a heartbreaking reminder of the inherent dangers of commercial fishing, particularly in an era with less stringent safety regulations. The loss of this young man, along with his fellow crew members, serves as a somber testament to the power of the sea and the critical importance of maritime safety.

Aug 15, 1985

Kodiak

Alaska

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07/25/2026