Bering Sea rescue: Teen survives three days atop capsized boat

A 15-year-old boy has been rescued after spending nearly three days clinging to a capsized 18-foot skiff in the frigid waters of the Bering Sea. The incident occurred near St. Lawrence Island, Alaska.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the vessel departed Savoonga on a Friday and was expected to return by Sunday. After the boat was reported missing, search efforts were delayed by weather until Monday morning. A Coast Guard aircrew eventually spotted the teenager sitting atop the overturned boat approximately four miles from the island.

While the teenager was rescued by the fishing vessel Northwest Explorer, his brother and cousin died in the accident. The survivor was treated for symptoms of hypothermia and warmed with blankets and heat packs by the crew of the Northwest Explorer. The bodies of the two deceased individuals were recovered and transported to Nome.