The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for the crew of a fishing vessel that reportedly capsized in frigid weather and heavy seas near Juneau, Alaska.

A mayday call from the Wind Walker, sent around 12:10 a.m., indicated that the approximately 50’ seiner was overturning, but the Coast Guard’s attempts to contact the vessel for more information went unanswered, according to a Coast Guard press release. 

The Coast Guard said it received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert that was registered to the Wind Walker originating just south of Point Couverden in Icy Strait, southwest of Juneau.

Individuals familiar with the Wind Walker crew told the Coast Guard that there were five people on board the vessel, though officials have not yet confirmed that number.

The crew of a 280’ Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferry Hubbard was first to arrive on scene after hearing the Coast Guard's urgent marine information broadcast.

The Coast Guard launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and a 45’ Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Juneaa.

Responders found seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights afloat in the search area, the Coast Guard said.

Responders faced heavy snow, winds up to 60 mph and 6’ seas, with part of the region, which is located in the Gulf of Alaska, under a winter storm warning.

As of Monday morning, none of the missing crewmembers have been found. 

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