Synopsis:

A young man and woman departed Mission Beach in kayaks on July 8 headed for Trident Basin and Crooked Island but were blown off course in the Woody Island Channel and made landfall on Woody Island near Icehouse Point instead. They had no means of communication with them and carried no supplies. They were reported overdue on the evening of July 8. The Alaska State Troopers contacted KISAR and a callout to members was initiated by KISAR member Nick Szabo. KISAR members responding were Ryan Cross, Lydia Cullum, Doug Dorner, Shae Long, Mike Sirofchuck, Philip Tschersich, Sharon and Steve Wielebski. Cross secured a skiff from KISAR member John Sikes and along with a Harbor Master’s skiff met the KISAR team at the float plane dock in Trident Basin at 10:00. USCG helicopters had been searching Crooked Island since around 08:30 and later located 2 abandoned kayaks on Woody Island just north of Icehouse Point. The KISAR team was directed to proceed to Woody Island. Just prior to KISAR’s, arrival a USCG helicopter spotted the 2 missing individuals coming out of the forest behind the Kodiak Baptist Mission property at Icehouse Point. Baptist Mission employees had skiffed over that morning, drawn by the helicopter activity at their property, and met the 2 missing kayakers. KISAR and the Alaska State Troopers arrived at the scene and KISAR offered warm clothing and a shuttle to the larger AST vessel. KISAR returned to Trident Basin and the effort was demobilized by 11:00.