Texas Family Missing After Their Boat Overturned In Freezing Alaskan Waters

Daily Report August 06,2024

Hopes are fading for a “beloved” Texas family, who went missing on a boating holiday after their vessel capsized and sank in 51-degree waters near an isolated Alaskan shoreline.

The Anchorage Daily News reported the US Coast Guard said it received a mayday call at around 7 p.m. that day from an aluminum vessel measuring 27 feet, saying their boat had started taking on water and were anticipating being escorted to safety.

The Coast Guard then immediately issued an alert to nearby ships calling for help, approximately 16 miles off the coast of Homer, Alaska. Coast Guard spokesman Travis Magee confirmed to the outlet.

David Maynard, his wife Mary, and their two sons were on board the vessel as it began to fill with water. A ship met the vessel and pulled four survivors from a life raft in the icy water before rescue workers were able to take them on board, Magee said.

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Mary and David Maynard, both parents to sons Colton (11) Brantley(7), are still missing.

On Monday, family friend Stetson Chase shared a statement on Facebook from Mary Maynard’s parents saying the Texas family was aboard and their whereabouts are still unknown.

“Mary, her husband, and 2 sons were lost at sea last night in Alaska after their vessel capsized,” Stetson wrote. “I can vouch for many that they were a wonderful, caring, and loving family that deserves to be brought home.”

A Coast Guard helicopter, plane and cutter, as well two other boats responded from the wildlife troopers in Alaska to assist with search patterns around the scene of sinking alongside good Samaritan vessels.

More than two hours earlier, around 6 p.m., the search was called off for a time.

“Any time we make a decision to suspend a search and rescue case is a very difficult one to make,” Coast Guard Petty Officer Shannon Kerney told KCEN-TV.

Days before the tragic incident, David Maynard posted photos on Facebook of Alaskan landscapes.

“After 4 days in Alaska I FINALLY got to see my first bear!!!! No picture can ever show just how beautiful this place truly is!!!!!” the missing father captioned his last post.

David Maynard, 42, managed a lawn care business and cared for the children while Mary Maynard worked as a traveling nurse.

The couple had two sons who were involved in soccer and baseball, according to family friend Christi Wells.

Cassandra Martin, a close family friend of the Maynards told KWTX, “[It’s] hard to believe that this could be real. [Mary] and her husband and her boys are all really beloved members of our community.”