A Republic of Korea Navy P-3 Orion airplane crew flies over the Republic of Korea vessel Sam-Bong during a search in the Bering Sea near Chukotka, Russia, Dec. 13, 2014.
The P-3 and Sam-Bong crews relieved Coast Guard air and surface assets from the search, which began Dec. 1, 2014.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dale Arnould
The crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley and Republic of Korea vessel Sam-Bong conduct a search in the Bering Sea near Chukotka, Russia, Dec. 13, 2014.
The Sam-Bong relieved the Alex Haley crew in the search for missing crewmembers from the sunken fishing vessel 501 Oryong.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dale Arnould.
The crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley and Republic of Korea vessel Sam-Bong conduct a search in the Bering Sea near Chukotka, Russia, as a Republic of Korea Navy P-3 Orion airplane flies overhead, Dec. 13, 2014.
As of Dec. 15, 2014, Coast Guard crews conducted 24 searches, covering 4,576 square miles.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dale Arnould.
JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard search and rescue crews were relieved by Republic of Korea assets on Saturday in their search for 26 crewmembers from the fishing vessel 501 Oryong that capsized Nov. 30, 2014, near Chukotka, Russia, in the Bering Sea.
The Coast Guard completed more than 24 searches covering more than 4,576 square miles utilizing two cutters, two helicopters, and multiple airplanes. Coast Guard crews will continue to partner with the Republic of Korea to provide search and rescue planning support.
"The sympathies of the Coast Guard go out to those impacted by this tragic maritime loss," said Rear Adm. Dan Abel, commander, Coast Guard 17th District. "To the families of those known to have perished, we grieve with you. For the families of those who still remain unaccounted, not knowing the fate of a loved one is often more difficult than a sad but definitive conclusion."
Two Republic of Korea Navy P-3 Orion aircraft joined the search for survivors on Dec. 6, 2014. The Republic of Korea vessel Sam-Bong arrived at the 501 Oryong's last known position Saturday and began their investigation.
The Coast Guard offered to assist the Kamchatka Border Guard Directorate and the Republic of Korea with their search for survivors and deployed the following assets:
- The Coast Guard Cutter Munro, a 378-foot high endurance cutter homeported in Kodiak, with an embarked Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
- The Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley, a 282-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Kodiak, with an embarked Air Station Kodiak MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
- Several Coast Guard Hercules C-130 aircraft from Air Station Kodiak.
- Two SAR planners from Juneau deployed to Anchorage to work alongside South Korean Navy P-3 aircrews.
The Republic of Korea reported the 501 Oryong, with 60 crewmembers, was hauling in its catch when a wave hit and flooded the vessel's storage chambers with seawater.
Good Samaritans rescued eight crewmembers, but one died of complications, 26 bodies were recovered, and 26 crewmembers remain missing.
View the following links for previous releases and imagery.
U.S. Coast Guard 17th District imageryhttp://www.dvidshub.net/unit/uscgd17
Imagery release: Coast Guard crews join search for missing crewmembers from capsized South Korean trawler in Bering Seahttp://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2429022/
Photo Release: Coast Guard continues search for missing crewmembers near Chukotka, Russiahttp://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2433413/
Photo Release: Coast Guard 17th District meets with Republic of Korea consulate general in Juneau, Alaskahttp://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2435074/