Confined Space Tragedy at Sea: Two Young Crew Members Killed Aboard Barge Near Ketchikan.

Confined Space Tragedy at Sea,Two Young Crew Members Killed Aboard Barge Near Ketchikan.

A heartbreaking maritime incident near Ketchikan, Alaska, has claimed the lives of two young crew members following a confined space emergency aboard a barge. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the incident occurred Sunday morning when a mayday call was received at approximately 9:14 a.m. from the tug vessel Chukchi Sea. The crew reported losing contact with four crewmembers who had entered a confined space aboard the barge Waynehoe, located about 25 miles northwest of Ketchikan.

Rescue efforts were immediately launched, with a response crew dispatched from Coast Guard Station Ketchikan. Before their arrival, members of the tug crew managed to recover one deceased crewmember and rescue two others from the hazardous space. The barge was later towed back to a pier in Ketchikan, where a coordinated multi-agency operation led to the recovery of the second victim’s body on Tuesday.

The victims were identified as 21-year-old Ben Fowler of Sitka and 28-year-old Sidney Mohorovich of Washington state. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through their communities, particularly among family and friends. Fowler’s sister described him as an energetic and joyful young man who grew up immersed in Alaska’s fishing culture, beginning commercial fishing at just 12 years old.

Officials say the two surviving crew members are in stable condition. Authorities emphasize that confined spaces on vessels can harbor invisible yet deadly hazards. The Coast Guard has pledged a full investigation to determine the cause and prevent future tragedies.