A fisherman died in an entanglement accident on board a troll vessel on Aug. 19 about 20 miles northwest of Sitka, according to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers.
Barry L. McKee, age 75, of Sitka, died on the Lisa Jean in onboard machinery below deck while off Kruzof Island, according to an Alaska troopers’ statement.
A sportfishing charter vessel in the area had transported an uninjured crewman from the Lisa Jean, back to Sitka at the time of the initial emergency call. Troopers responded in cooperation with Sitka Fire Department, and found and recovered McKee’s body.
A good Samaritan vessel on scene towed Lisa Jean to protected waters so the investigation could be completed, then towed the vessel into Sitka. The commercial accident investigation is continuing through the USCG Marine Safety Detachment.
Barry McKee's family has set up a GoFundMe to help during this difficult time.
[This story originally misidentified the Lisa Jean boat. It should have been identified as a different vessel with the same name.]
