Alaskan Fishing Tragedy: Survivors Recount Nightmarish Ordeal

On December 31, 2019, the Scandies Rose fishing boat set out from Kodiak, Alaska, into a fierce winter storm. Despite the treacherous weather, the crew of 7 decided to brave the conditions. As the boat encountered 60-70 knot winds and freezing spray, it began to list and ice over.

By the end of the night, the Scandies Rose had capsized, and the crew was forced to abandon ship. In the chaos, only 2 of the 7 crew members, Dean Gribble and Jon Lawler, managed to make it into a life raft. The other 5 crew members, including the captain, Gary Cobban, did not survive.

Gribble and Lawler endured hours in the icy waters, their survival suits icing over, before being rescued by the Coast Guard. The rescue operation was extremely challenging due to the severe weather conditions. Tragically, the bodies of the 5 missing crew members have not yet been recovered.

The sinking of the Scandies Rose has highlighted the inherent dangers of commercial fishing, an industry known for its high fatality rates. Investigations into the incident have pointed to issues with the boat's stability, icing, and inadequate safety protocols. The survivors' harrowing accounts serve as a sobering reminder of the risks these crews face and the need for improved safety measures in the industry.