Search is on for lost Hydaburg boater

The U.S. Coast Guard was searching Friday for a 20-year-old man after he did not return from a fish camp near Hydaburg on Thursday afternoon.

Hydaburg Search and Rescue requested Coast Guard assistance in their search for Hydaburg resident Frances Charles after he was overdue returning from a fish camp at Eek Point, a 30-minute boat ride southeast of Hydaburg. Hydaburg Search and Rescue found Charles’ 18-foot skiff near California Island, and a pair of boots were found in the water near a beach at Round Point on Blanket Island Thursday night.

Crews from USCG cutters John McCormick and Anacapa were dispatched, along with an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka. Charles was last seen wearing tan chest waders and a blue float coat.

Weather on scene was reported as 51 degrees and calm.

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