A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka carries out training in Juneau, Alaska, June 26, 2018. (Petty Officer 1st Class Jon-Paul Rios | U.S. Coast Guard)

A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka carries out training in Juneau, Alaska, June 26, 2018. (Petty Officer 1st Class Jon-Paul Rios | U.S. Coast Guard)

Kayaker reported missing near Sitka

The missing man’s kayak was found empty and overturned.

The Coast Guard is searching for a kayaker reported missing near Sitka on Sunday.

Kale Pastel, 36, was reported missing before noon on Sunday after failing to return from an early-morning kayak trip to Birdsnest Bay, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Melissa McKenzie, a public affairs specialist, in a phone interview.

The Coast Guard deployed an MH-60 Jayhawk to search for Pastel. Around 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, the aircrew located a kayak on Cannon Island. Someone had located the kayak overturned in the Eastern Channel earlier that morning before towing it to the island, according to the press release.

McKenzie said the search for Pastel is ongoing as of Monday morning.

Pastel was last seen wearing blue pants and a black hoodie. He’s described as being 6 feet 4 inches, and weighing 200 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sector Juneau at (907)463-2980.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.

Previous
Census taker sign-ups are happening Tuesday
Next
Dunleavy agrees to continue accepting refugees

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of March 23

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Alaska Native youth dance at Celebration in Juneau on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Value of Alaska Native education emphasized by Sealaska Heritage Institute president at US Senate hearing

Rosita Ḵaaháni Worl says federal funds for cultural education vital to Alaska Native students’ success.

An Eaglecrest skier cruises downhill in warm temperatures and scant snow on Wednesday. The ski area announced Thursday its last day of the season will be this Sunday. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Eaglecrest Ski Area to end season a week early on Sunday with concert, but no Slush Cup

Poor conditions much of the season limited operations, officials say rain may wipe out scant snow left.

NOAA Fisheries Alaska region, hit hard by staffing losses, helps oversee the harvests off Alaska, which produce about half the fish caught in U.S. waters. Here, a trawl net full of pollock — the largest volume fishery off Alaska — comes aboard the Northern Hawk during the summer 2023 harvest. (Photo by Hal Bernton)
Internal memo outlines stark impacts of federal downsizing on Alaska regional fishery agency

Understaffed federal offices supporting fishing regulators cut even further, as NOAA Fisheries works ‘to keep the lights on’

Kids, parents, grandparents and U.S. Forest Service staff perform a vigorous reenactment of the life of a snowflake during a Mendenhall Minis event at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Saturday, Feb. 22. 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Glacier visitor center plans “half time” operations during tourism season due to mass firings

CBJ tourism manager proposes spending $200K in passenger fees to help organizations with staff at glacier.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, April 1, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo))
Police calls for Monday, March 31, 2025

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

Heidi Drygas, executive director of the Alaska State Employees Association, leads a cheer on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
State employee salary study misses another deadline, prompting House resolution demanding to see data

Critics say Dunleavy administration is withholding results showing state pay is uncompetitive.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Murkowski votes to oppose Canada tariffs, Sullivan votes in support

Vote largely symbolic since resolution lacks support in the Republican-controlled U.S. House.

Most Read