Vanished in the Bering: The Unsolved Disappearance of Steven Mencer

A Routine Morning Turns Alarming

On the morning of March 19, 2020, the crew of the F/V Alaska Mist, a 164-foot catcher-processor vessel, was preparing for the day's operations while moored at the Coastal Transportation Northern Dock in Unalaska, Alaska. During the routine crew check-in at approximately 8:25 a.m., 33-year-old crew member Steven Mencer failed to report, prompting immediate concern among his shipmates. Mencer had been seen aboard the vessel approximately 45 minutes prior to the check-in, making his sudden absence all the more perplexing.

Launch of a Comprehensive Search Effort

Upon receiving the report of Mencer's disappearance, the U.S. Coast Guard initiated a comprehensive search operation. Assets deployed included an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, as well as the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley, which was diverted from its mission to assist. The crew of the Alaska Mist also participated in the search, covering a total area of 63 square miles over approximately 7.4 hours.

Challenging Conditions Hamper Rescue Efforts

The search was conducted under challenging conditions. Reports indicated that Mencer was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) at the time of his disappearance, and the frigid waters near Dutch Harbor posed significant risks to survival. Despite the exhaustive efforts of the search teams, no trace of Mencer was found, and the search was suspended at 8:20 p.m. on the same day.

Personal Details and Background

Steven Allan Mencer was a 33-year-old fisherman from Alaska. He was described as a white male, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a neon green pullover rain jacket, orange and black pants, a black hoodie, and orange gloves. Mencer had scars on both elbows and his left hand, as well as tattoos. ...Read More

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