James Michael Burk, 67, left Nenana, Alaska, on the morning of September 9, 2023, aboard a distinctive black Alweld skiff with neon green trim and a rear cabin. He planned to spend the night in Swanneck Slough before continuing to a fish camp near the Kantishna River and was expected back in Nenana the evening of September 10. When he did not return, Alaska State Troopers were notified the following Monday and searches began.

Air and boat teams from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, and volunteer searchers from Manley and Minto, searched the Tanana River. On the second day a helicopter crew located Burk’s skiff completely submerged about three miles downstream from the confluence of the Tolovana and Tanana Rivers; the vessel was recovered the next day. Burk himself was not found and exhaustive air and water searches have not located him.

The disappearance centers on his planned solo river trip and the submerged boat raises serious concern, but his fate remains unknown. Does anyone who spent time on the Tanana near Swanneck Slough or the Tolovana confluence in September 2023 have information that could help?