 June 20, 2003
According to the USCG, Wilks was found Thursday afternoon in Spacious Bay near Behm Canal beached and awaiting high tide. He was on his way back to Ketchikan on Thursday. He was reported overdue to the U.S. Coast Guard by a friend when he failed to arrive at his brother's wedding Wednesday afternoon in Edna Bay on Prince of Wales Island. Search efforts began after the caller reported that 51-year-old Daryl Wilks aboard his 18-foot aluminum skiff never arrived at Edna Bay. The boater departed the village of Hyder Tuesday at 6 a.m. and stopped in Ketchikan for fuel before continuing his 165-mile trek. A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Sitka and a Station Ketchikan rescue boat crew began searching shortly after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and continued searching late in to the evening for Wilks. According to the caller, Wilks is a known survivalist whose boat was equipped with food, a space blanket, a gun and fishing equipment. A Good Samaritan reported spotting Wilks about 3:30 Tuesday afternoon asking for directions to Point Baker while in Behm Canal, about 25 miles off course. Thursday's extensive Coast Guard led search included two Sitka helicopter crews, Station Ketchikan rescuers and assistance from the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad and Alaska State Troopers.
Source of News Release:
|