Coast Guard searches for Angoon boater after empty skiff found near Killisnoo Island

A Coast Guard helicopter crew is searching the waters near Angoon for Roger Williams Jr., 35, of Angoon, after finding his empty skiff Tuesday night near Killisnoo Island.

Williams was last seen at 8:30 am Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers said. He was taking a 16-foot Lund skiff from the boat harbor to the ferry terminal to go cockle fishing and didn't return.

Troopers got a report of an overdue boater at 5:31 pm and called the Coast Guard, which sent a helicopter. At 8 pm, the crew spotted the skiff, with no one aboard, near the shoreline between Killisnoo Island and Angoon.

Tuesday's high in Angoon was 49 degrees, with 5-foot seas, according to the troopers' dispatch.

The Coast Guard was still searching with its helicopter Wednesday, and Wrangell search and rescue teams have been activated to help, troopers said.

Williams was last seen wearing a brown Carhartt jacket, black Carhartt pants and boots.