Daniel Frank McDonald was 37 when he was last known to be aboard the 98-foot steel crab fishing vessel Vestfjord on January 29, 1989. The Vestfjord was transiting from Seattle to Dutch Harbor when it ran into a severe storm with hurricane-force winds of about 70 mph and 30-foot seas. The crew sent a mayday saying the vessel was sinking under the weight of accumulating ice; that distress call was the last communication from the Vestfjord, lost roughly 30 miles south of the Trinity Islands, just west of Kodiak Island.

The United States Coast Guard launched search efforts, including aircraft and the cutter Sedge, but weather severely hampered the operation. Two crew members were eventually recovered deceased, though which individuals were found is not clearly stated; the Vestfjord and most of its crew, including Daniel McDonald, were never recovered. McDonald is described as having brown hair, blue eyes, and a very noticeable chipped front tooth. Anyone who knew Daniel or has information about the Vestfjord’s final voyage is asked to come forward?