Loved ones are deeply mourning the loss of the five fishermen whose boat met a tragic fate in the frigid waters off Alaska. This incident has left a void in the hearts of their families and communities. The men - Travis Kapp, Jacob Hannah, Alex Ireland, Emilio “EJ” Celaya, and Michael Brown - were out on their fishing vessel Wind Walker when disaster struck. Their mayday call at approximately 12:07 a.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 1, sent shockwaves through the region. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the boat was overturning in the Icy Strait near Couverden Point, about 25 miles southwest of Juneau.

Remembering the Brave Souls

In the wake of this accident, the loved ones of these fishermen are coming forward to share their stories and memories. Celaya's aunt, Stephanie Molt, told KTUU-TV that the 34-year-old "daredevil" from Las Vegas was a former firefighter with the Forest Service and had a passion for riding motorcycles and snowboarding. He leaves behind a wife and four children, a tragic loss that weighs heavily on their hearts.Ireland, who preferred to go by the last name of Zamantakis, "loved to fish," as his father shared with the station. He and his partner had an infant son, and fishing was a part of his life. "It didn't matter where we went, he had a pole in the water someplace, so being on a commercial fishing boat was right up his alley," Mike Zamantakis noted.Hannah's mother, Carol Hannah, told KTUU that she initially had reservations about her son pursuing his passion. But she couldn't be mad at him because fishing was what he lived for. "He did what he wanted throughout his life. I'm very proud because Alaska is what helped him become the man he was," she said.In a GoFundMe, the sister of Kapp's partner, Stephanie, described the missing boat captain as a "profound gem of a human." He had three passions in life: being a great father to Paige, his new blended family with Stephanie and her daughter Alice, and running a commercial fishing operation.Brown's family was stunned to hear about the capsizing of the boat he was working on. His sister, Haven, and his parents, Warren and Patricia Brown, said the former Eagle Scout loved fishing and had a positive outlook on life. "He just loved sharing his smile with everyone," she added.These fishermen were more than just names on a list. They were husbands, fathers, sons, and friends who had a passion for the sea and a love for their families. Their stories serve as a reminder of the risks and sacrifices that come with a life at sea. As we remember them, we also hold their families in our thoughts and prayers.