The U.S. Department of Justice has charged three Southeast Alaska fishers with intentionally sinking their fishing vessels, an illegal act under federal law.
The alleged deliberate sinkings took place in 2025 in three unrelated incidents. According to the Department of Justice, Sitka, Alaska, U.S.A. resident John Fishers intentionally sunk the F/V Igloo in the Sitka Sound on 8 March 2025; Petersburg, Alaska resident Joseph Poling sunk the F/V Leeward in Thomas Bay on 3 August 2025; and Sitka resident Toni Vanveen sunk the F’V O’kisutch into the Sitka Harbor between 28 September and 3 October 2025.
Under federal law, it is illegal to deliberately sink a vessel where it can obstruct navigable waters.
“Sunken vessels pose navigation hazards and can become underwater obstructions, creating risks for other vessels,” United States Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Cameron Snell told local news provider KCAW. “Sunken vessels can lead to collisions, groundings, and other accidents, endangering lives and property. Furthermore, sunken vessels can also pose a pollution risk due to the fuel, oil, and other potentially hazardous materials that may be aboard.”
Each of the three fishers face between 30 days and one year in federal prison and a fine of up to USD 25,000 (EUR 21,578) for every day the sunken vessel remained in the water.
