The search lasted nearly 24 hours, covering more than 108 square nautical miles, but no signs of the crew were found.
The Wind Walker issued a mayday call at 12:07 a.m. Sunday, reporting it was overturning. Despite a search effort that included numerous Coast Guard assets and an Alaska Marine Highway System ferry, no survivors were located. On Sunday, searchers found seven cold-water immersion suits and two strobe lights but no signs of the crew. As of Monday afternoon, the identities of the five crew members had not been released.
Coast Guard officials expressed their condolences, with Chief Warrant Officer James Koon offering support to the families of those lost. The search was called off pending new information.