A couple from Bellingham, Washington, played a pivotal role in the rescue of a man who had been adrift for 26 hours in the icy waters of Alaska. Last month, Tele Aadsen and Joel Brady-Power, both seasoned fishermen, may have saved the life of 19-year-old Ryan Harris, whose boat capsized northwest of Sitka, Alaska. The couple was alerted to the situation after hearing a Coast Guard report of a missing fisherman while returning to shore on their 43-foot salmon-fishing boat, the Nerka.
The dramatic rescue unfolded after Harris’ 28-foot aluminum boat capsized near the south end of Kruzof Island. Harris and his crewmate had been out at sea without a radio or cell phone, making it impossible to send a distress signal. When the men did not return to port as expected, their friends reported them missing late Friday night. By the next morning, the Coast Guard had already begun searching, and the local fishing community sprang into action as well. Fishermen throughout the area, including Aadsen and Brady-Power, were determined to help in the search.
In a blog post recounting the experience, Aadsen wrote about the solidarity and urgency that swept through the fishing community in response to the news of the missing men: “Fishermen are never a stronger community than in situations like this. When tragedy cuts one of us down,” she explained on her blog, Hooked: One Woman at Sea, Trolling for Truth.
By midday Saturday, the search team found Harris’ crewmate alive on a beach. Fortunately, he had managed to don a survival suit after their boat capsized, helping him stay alive. Harris, however, was less fortunate in terms of gear—he had no survival suit. Instead, he relied on a float coat, which offered some buoyancy and warmth, but left him dangerously exposed to the harsh elements of the open sea. According to reports, Harris fell into the water several times but managed to keep afloat by righting the plastic fish tote that had become his lifeboat. To stay awake and keep his spirits up during the harrowing ordeal, Harris sang songs, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
Aadsen and Brady-Power were determined to find Harris. Despite poor visibility and the vastness of the Alaskan waters, they scanned the ocean with binoculars. At one point, Aadsen thought she saw something—a head bobbing in the water—but it turned out to be nothing more than a piece of kelp.
The breakthrough came about 30 minutes later when Joel suddenly called out, “There! What’s that?” A blue tote floated about 60 feet away, half submerged in the frigid waters. Then, just a short distance beyond, they saw another tote, and this time, someone was inside, frantically waving his arms for help. It was Ryan Harris.
Without hesitation, Joel contacted the Coast Guard, and within 43 seconds—by Aadsen’s precise count—a rescue helicopter was on the scene. Harris was safely pulled from the water, ending his 26-hour ordeal.
Aadsen later wrote about the emotional moment when Harris was lifted into the helicopter: “I stay on deck for a moment longer. Tears I wasn’t aware of mingle with the rain on my cheeks. … I wave to the helicopter, wishing again that body language translated. You guys are amazing. Thank you. Thank you.”
The rescue was a testament to the quick thinking and determination of Aadsen and Brady-Power, whose efforts helped avert what could have been a tragic outcome. The couple, who have been operating the Nerka for the past seven seasons, were no strangers to the dangers of the sea, but this experience reinforced their deep connection to the fishing community and the importance of looking out for one another.
In addition to running their fishing boat, Aadsen and Brady-Power lead interesting lives off the water. During the off-season, Aadsen focuses on her writing, while Joel builds his career as a landscape photographer. The couple also recently purchased a home in Bellingham, where they continue to make their mark both on and off the water.
The rescue of Ryan Harris is a story of hope, perseverance, and the unwavering bond of the maritime community, where the instinct to help others in need can make all the difference between life and death.
