The full moon sets over Cohen Island, foreground, Shelter Island, left, and the Chilkat Mountain Range in this November 2013 photo. A fishing vessel sank Tuesday night near Shelter Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. People are advised to steer clear of the area of the sinking. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

The full moon sets over Cohen Island, foreground, Shelter Island, left, and the Chilkat Mountain Range in this November 2013 photo. A fishing vessel sank Tuesday night near Shelter Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. People are advised to steer clear of the area of the sinking. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Fishing vessel sinks near Shelter Island

Three people recovered, none harmed.

A fishing vessel sank Tuesday night near Shelter Island, according to the Coast Guard.

Prior to sinking, the three people aboard the 29-foot Mugs C were able to broadcast a mayday call, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release. The people were able to abandon ship to an inflatable skiff.

The trio were recovered by the good Samaritan vessel Silvertip, and they were taken to Auke Bay.

Lt. Maren Balke said there were no medical concerns following the incident, and the cause of the sinking appeared to be instability adn water coming over the Mugs C’s gunnels.

The fishing vessel remains sunken off Shelter Island with no sheening or other signs of pollution observed, according to the Coast Guard. However, some minor debris was recovered from the nearby shore.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, in coordination with other resource agencies, are monitoring the owner’s response to the pollution onboard the vessel, according to the Coast Guard. People should stay clear of the area while salvage and recovery operations continue.

• Contact the Juneau Empire newsroom at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com.

More in News

Bob Girt works with the Alaska Youth Stewards on Prince of Wales Island in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Bethany Goodrich / Sustainable Southeast Partnership)
Threads of the Tongass: Building a sustainable future

“These students can look back and say, ‘I helped build that. I was a contributor.’”

KTOO, Juneau's public radio station, is photographed in Juneau, Alaska, on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Public radio facing cuts as Congress moves to pull back funding

KTOO could lose one-third of its budget if the House passes a bill cutting funding for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14.
Ships in port for the week of July 19

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule.… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, July 17, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire File)
Hiker rescued from gully at Eaglecrest

The woman got stuck in a gully after taking a wrong turn

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, July 16, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Dimond Courthouse in Juneau, Alaska, is seen in this undated photo. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Juneau man pleads guilty to murder of infant

James White pleaded guilty yesterday to the murder of 5-and-half-week-old Kathy White

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Megan Dean shakes hands with the new Arctic District commander Rear Admiral Bob Little on Friday. Vice Admiral Andrew J. Tiongson, commander of the Pacific Area, smiles. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
US Coast Guard receives new commander, new name for Alaska

The Arctic District’s new icebreaker will visit Juneau next month

City and Borough of Juneau City Hall is photographed on July 12, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire file)
Municipal election candidate filing period opens July 18

The filing period runs from July 18 at 8 a.m. to July 28 at 4:30 p.m.

Most Read