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Arnold Skeek's search and recovery

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Arnold Skeek, age 27 years old, recently went missing off of the fishing tender, the Beaufort Sea, on Sunday, August 14, 2016.  Search and rescue efforts by the Coast Guard were extensive; however, their efforts were halted on Monday. Friends, family, and the brotherhood of fishermen and boaters in the area have continued to search for his remains.

While we would like to remain hopeful, we are taking every action we can to find closure where we feel it is necessary. Because Arnold did not know how to swim, it is highly unlikely that he will be found unless we utilize underwater sonar technology. We have contacted recovery specialists, Ralston and Associates, to pursue this effort.

The cost to transport the underwater sonar technology, boat, recovery robot, and other miscellaneous operational equipment will be over $6,000 with a discount on transport and the operator, Gene Ralston, donating his time. Once we complete the search and recovery, there will be added costs for burial services, transport, etc.

While we are making every effort to cover what costs we can, we would be extremely grateful for any donations that can be made to assist with covering the costs of transporting the sonar equipment, technology, and operators to Juneau, Alaska from Kuna, Idaho.

Arnold is the father of an 8-year old son, Adrian Skeek. He is survived by five siblings, young nieces and nephews, his father, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, and a family of fishermen and hunting buddies who have known him since childhood. Saying that he will be sorely missed is a painful understatement.

We are hoping to get Gene Ralston and his underwater sonar equipment on the 8/26/16 ferry from Bellingham to Juneau. With your support, we can make this recovery effort a possibility.

Donations are also being accepted via First Bank account #888220, the benefit fund for Arnold Skeek.

Should you have questions, please feel free to message me, Niki Skeek-Wheeland, via facebook.
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To learn more about Gene Ralston, Side Scan Sonar and underwater searching, visit: http://gralston1.home.mindspring.com/Sidescan.html 

Gene and his crew recoverd a man from Auke Bay in 2004, two more souls from Harding Lake in 2007, and yet another soul in Harding Lake in 2011. With the purchase of a remote operated vehicle (ROV), their missions have recovered victims in up to 160 feet of water. We are very lucky to have Gene and crew working with us and we are infinitely grateful for their generous offering of services.  
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We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came. ~ John F. Kennedy
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Donations 

  • Some of the Nations group
    • $100
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Niki Skeek-Wheeland
Organizer
Juneau, AK

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