Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

On August 23, 2026, at 12:10 am, Guy Eriksen, age 39, of Nevada, fell overboard from a fishing vessel anchored in Saw Mill Bay, approximately 10 miles outside Valdez Harbor. The United States Coast Guard was activated and assumed search responsibilities at sea utilizing vessels and a helicopter. At approximately 11:00 am the Coast Guard transferred the SAR to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers. AWT requested the assistance of the Alaska Dive Rescue Team who responded and at around 9:00 PM located and recovered Eriksen's body in the ocean near where he had gone missing. Next of kin has been notified. The body is being transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy. The investigation is ongoing.