Timothy Staples, 38, an American Indian/Alaska Native man from Ketchikan, Alaska, was last seen on February 12, 2017, leaving the Mountain Point boat launch in a skiff bound for Metlakatla. He was accompanied by Troy Smart. The skiff was later found capsized and empty about 100 yards north of Blank Island, with debris believed to be from the boat nearby.

The U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies conducted an extensive search of Nichols Passage and Tongass Narrows with multiple helicopter and boat crews but did not find either man. The search shifted to a recovery effort, and the Alaska State Troopers continue to list Timothy Staples and Troy Smart as active missing persons.

The overturned skiff suggests a tragic accident at sea, but without recovery of the men there is no definitive explanation. If anyone has information about Timothy Staples, his movements that day, or sightings in the Ketchikan area on February 12, 2017, please come forward.