Donald Lewis Brand, who also used the name Donald Lewis Edwards, was 44 when he went missing after the Uyak II sank in the Gulf of Alaska on November 5, 1987. The 112-foot trawler went down about 20 miles south of Sitkalidak Island near Kodiak, throwing its six crew into the water.

Two crew members, captain Brian VanVelkeningburg and deckhand Bradley Talbot, survived after being found in a liferaft. Four others were never recovered and are presumed lost at sea: Gregory D. Klinkenburg, Rogerio N. Jamie, Donald Brand, and Hee K. Charlie Im. The sinking prompted an extensive search by U.S. Coast Guard aircraft and commercial fishing vessels, but Brand and the other missing men were not found.

The community and families were left grieving and with unanswered questions about that night. If anyone has memories of Donald, the Uyak II, or that search, please share what you know.