On Aug. 14, Arnold Skeek was reported as missing overboard from the Beaufort Sea which had been anchored in the Auke Bay Harbor. Family members and friends searching in the harbor were met with people who volunteered prayers, hope, support, time and assistance with searching the surrounding shorelines and docks. Juneau and Sitka Air Stations’ Coast Guard boats and helicopters performed air and water grid searches, locals searched the waterways while returning to the harbor and the brotherhood of fishermen in the area were relentless in their efforts to find Arnold. Juneau’s SEADOGS utilized underwater cameras and volunteer divers searched the area where the boat was anchored. The community of Juneau has been amazing and kind, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming and we can’t thank you enough.
Skeek’s sister: ‘My brother’s gone’
While search efforts have been unsuccessful thus far, we have sought out the services of Gene Ralston and Associates from Kuna, Idaho. His side scan sonar system and underwater search efforts have a very high success rate and we are confident that, with his assistance and expertise, Arnold will be found and our family can find the closure we need to lay him to rest. We’re lucky enough to have Gene donate the majority of his services and the State of Alaska has discounted his Alaska Marine Highway System transport significantly. With large donations from Captain Trevor Rostad of the Beaufort Sea, other fishermen, friends, family, acquaintances, local businesses and the local SEADOGS — we are able to cover the costs of an underwater search and recovery mission.
Someday, Arnold’s son, Adrian, will ask if we made the effort to search for his dad and when all is said and done, we can unequivocally answer that we made every effort to find him and the community of Juneau did so as well.
Our entire family is infinitely grateful for all of the time, effort, support and prayer that has been offered to us. We want to send a thank you to everyone who has helped donate and volunteer but the list is endless. More importantly, we wish to request that those of you with loved ones who do not know how to swim, like Arnold, ensure that they take the time to learn. Be safe on the water, learn how to swim, wear a life jacket, wear proper safety gear, buy a waterproof radio — do what it takes to make it home. Remember that you are someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister, father, mother, aunt, uncle, child … and you are loved.
Forever grateful,
The family of Arnold Skeek
Those of you who wish to support the continued search efforts may donate via either through gofundme.com/arnoldskeek or via First Bank account #888220 (the Benefit Fund for Arnold Skeek).
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