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Remembering the Katmai’s lost crew

Posted by Geeky Swedes on October 26th, 2008

Flowers and photos remembering the five dead and two missing from the Ballard-based fishing vessel Katmai have been left at Fishermen’s Memorial.
Katmai memorial
Among the dead are Cedric Smith, Glenn Harper, Jake Gilman, Joshua Leonguerrero and Fuli Lemusu. Two are still missing, Carlos Zabala and Robert Davis. The Katmai sunk in rough seas, and four survived by clinging to a life raft for 17 hours in their survival suits. “They said initially there were seven people in the raft, and then there was a big wave and it got whittled down,” said a Coast Guard pilot. Hearings begin on Monday to investigate the accident, which may bring more federal scrutiny: this is the fourth Alaska “head-and-gut” vessel to suffer a tragedy this decade, adding up to 28 deaths.

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  • staceyf
    i feel very sorry for the dead fishermen from the Katmai
  • KENNETH DIAZ
    IWAS ON THIS BOAT 2TRIPS LAST YEAR I KNOW 4 OF THEM PAST AWAY SO SAD WAS GANNA GO BACK ON THIS BOAT BUT IDIDNT R.I.P
    7PEOPLE ON THIS BOAT
    4 PEOPLE THAT I WORK LAST YEAR
    Cedric Smith
    Fuli Lemusu
    Glenn Harper
    Carlos Zabala
  • James Meils
    This message is to the family of Carlos Zabala. You son was a great man, and though we will always hold out hope for him my heart fears the worst. he lived life to the fullest every day. touched the lives of more people than you could ever imagine. He was a great friend and i can only hope to one day hear his voice again and the laughter that always followed. Colorado Loves you brother! GOD BLESS AND STAY STRONG
  • boardbrown
    It's common knowledge that these brave folks have one of the world's most dangerous jobs. And from my infantile understanding of the job (re: what I see on TV), it's hard to comprehend how the government could step in and make it safer. I'd be interested to hear from someone in the biz about this topic.

    But a very sad story indeed. This is Ballard at it's core...a community built on the fishing industry. It puts all the bickering about condos and townhouses in proper perspective.
  • My husband is a commercial fisherman and we lost our nephew a few years ago on his crab boat along with both his crew.
    It's a tough thing to work at sea...my thoughts are with their families.
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