By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
A Sitka woman died and two men were rescued Sunday morning after the boat they were on was struck by a “rogue wave” and capsized at Three Entrance Bay, five and a half miles southwest of Sitka, police said.
Police identified the woman who died in the accident as Deanna Moore, 51, a longtime resident. The two men on the boat were Moore’s husband, Jay Stilwell, 56, and Roger Hames, 42, of Sitka.
Police and the Coast Guard Sector Juneau received a 911 call at 8:25 a.m. from a nearby good Samaritan boat reporting that a boat with three people aboard had capsized in the Keyhole by Three Entrance Bay. The police department emergency response boat and a Coast Guard helicopter were dispatched to the area.
Witnesses and family members told the Sentinel that the three had gone out for the morning on a hunting trip when the Linda Kay, a 22-foot C-Dory, was hit by a rogue wave which flipped the boat and ripped off the cabin roof.
A good Samaritan vessel picked up Hames and Stilwell from the water and transferred them to the city emergency response boat. Moore was inside the capsized boat, which was still visible when the helicopter arrived, police said.
The Coast Guard helicopter lowered a rescue swimmer, who retrieved Moore from the capsized boat. She was flown to the air station and an ambulance took her to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead, police said.
Both Stilwell and Hames were taken to the hospital, treated for hypothermia and released. They were in the water for some time, but Stilwell said he doesn’t know how long.
“It seemed like forever,” he said today.
Moore and Stilwell were the owners of the boat.
“The amount of support has been incredible,” Stilwell said when reached by the Sentinel today. “All of Sitka is grieving.”
Stilwell said Leon Barclay, a neighbor who was aboard one of the Good Samaritan vessels in the area, was in communication with one of Moore’s sons as well as the Coast Guard throughout the rescue to keep everyone informed. Stilwell attributed the quick response to Barclay’s communications.
Stilwell said the family, including himself and Moore’s three sons, are organizing a celebration of life. Details will be given later in the Sentinel.
