Samuel Butler 06-29-09

Boater missing in Clarence Strait

Anchorage Daily News, Published: June 29th, 2009

JUNEAU -- The Coast Guard was searching Monday for a Coffman Cove man who was missing after his powered canoe turned up with no sign of him.

Witnesses told officials Samuel Butler, 24, left Coffman Cove about 3:30 a.m. not wearing a life jacket, the Coast Guard said. His empty canoe was found in Clarence Strait 32 miles west of Wrangell about 10:15 a.m.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk searched through the day, accompanied by 10 good Samaritan vessels, but was unable to locate Butler, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard cutter Liberty, a 110-foot patrol boat based out of Auke Bay, also joined the search late in the afternoon.

Anyone with information on Butler's whereabouts is asked to call the Coast Guard at 907-463-2980.