Update: Searchers recovered the body and boat of Jimmy Kiyutelluk on the Southwest shore of Port Clarence over the weekend. Teller Search and Rescue President Danielle Topkok confirmed he was discovered on Saturday afternoon at approximately 3:30.
Original: The search is still ongoing for a Brevig Mission man whose boat drifted off course from Teller Point last week.
Fifty-four year old Jimmy Kiyutelluk, or “Jimmy Knox” of Brevig Mission was reported missing last Tuesday evening, after his boat drifted out towards Port Clarence. Trooper Aileen Witrosky at the Nome post confirmed that report.
“We contacted the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard took the mission and deployed assets.”
The Coast Guard searched by air for 24 hours. Witrosky says Troopers assisted the guard with a ground search. Troopers suspended the search on Saturday.
Danielle Topkok is the president of Teller Search and Rescue. She says volunteer searchers plan to continue looking for Kiyutelluk and have now been joined by searchers from Shishmaref, Brevig Mission, and Wales. Ice formation has made a search by ocean impossible.
Topkok reports that Kiyutelluk and a friend were trying to cross from Teller Point to Brevig Mission when the motor of his boat malfunctioned, carrying the small craft out to sea. While his companion jumped and swam to shore, Kiyutelluk tried to continue working with the motor. Topkok is unsure of whether the craft is equipped with safety or survival provisions.
The Alaska State Troopers did not issue a public dispatch for this incident.
Anyone wishing to join or donate to the search for Jimmy Kiyutelluk can reach Teller SAR at 434-1388.
Image at top: The community of Teller, with Brevig Mission faintly visible across the water. Photo: KNOM File.
