15-year-old rescued after two days adrift on capsized boat in Bering Sea

A 15‑year‑old boy was rescued on Thursday after spending several days adrift in the Bering Sea following the capsizing of his small boat. The teenager, who was traveling with two friends, managed to stay afloat by clinging to the overturned hull until rescuers arrived.

The incident occurred on Monday night off the coast of Alaska, near the remote islands of the Bering Sea. The boat capsized in rough waters, and the three occupants were thrown into the frigid sea. While the two companions were recovered shortly after the accident, the teenager remained missing and was later located by search teams.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched a coordinated search operation after receiving a distress signal from the area. Using a combination of aerial surveillance and a cutter equipped with thermal imaging, rescuers located the boy clinging to the boat’s hull on the third day after the capsizing. He was hoisted aboard the cutter and transferred to a Coast Guard helicopter for transport to a medical facility.

Medical personnel reported that the teen was in stable condition, suffering from hypothermia and dehydration but otherwise unharmed. He was taken to a hospital in Anchorage for further evaluation and treatment. Authorities said he was conscious and able to communicate throughout the rescue.

Coast Guard officials emphasized the importance of rapid response and the challenges of conducting search and rescue missions in the harsh Bering Sea environment. They also noted that the teenager’s survival was aided by his decision to remain attached to the capsized vessel, which made him more visible to rescuers. No further injuries were reported among the other occupants of the boat.