Posted on April 23, 2010 - by Morgan Howard
Fishing tender Northern Belle sinks in Alaska, Capt. dies
The F/V Northern Belle, a Seattle-based fishing vessel sank April 20, 2010 about 50 miles south of Montague Island in the Gulf of Alaska. The captain, Robert Royer, suffered a head trauma while exiting the boat and was rescued later, pronounced dead. It’s a small world when it comes to Alaska and those who ply its waters.
As, it turns out, my good friend Gino D’CaFango was a close friend to Bob. This what my friend Gino wrote:
Bob’s crew safely abandoned the ship in survival suits. After learning that the emergency beacon (EPIRB) was not working, Bob ran back to the wheelhouse and placed a mayday call to alert the US Coast Guard in Kodiak – as any good Captain would. (This saved the lives of his crew).
Bob’s last act was placing his little dog Baxter, a black cocker spaniel in another survival suit. As Bob and Baxter were abandoning the ship, Bob was fatally hit on his head by debris. Bob was recovered in the rescue hours later but showed no vital signs.
Bob and I sailed thousands of nautical miles together across the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea and we got out of many dangerous situations while working in the Alaska Fishing industry. He is one of the few guys I know that would come back and get you, even if he put himself at risk.
My Dad was one of Bob’s mentors. Now Bob is in Heaven with Dad and Baxter, no doubt getting ready to set sail again on another adventure. They’ve taken on fuel, loaded the stores, are warming up the engines and are casting off the lines… God bless you and keep you Bob. I love you and miss you Brother.
The Coast Guard launched a MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules aircraft to respond. The Cutter Long Island was also diverted to the area.
Petty Officer David Mosely said rescuers found four people in the water and were able to drop a life raft to them. He said the helicopter arrived just before 8 p.m. and hoisted all four passengers.
“I was very, very surprised that I made it and the rest of the crew,” Jack said.
The crew members were transported to Cordova, where they were met with EMS personnel. Mosely said rescuers had been attempting to revive the captain when the crew members arrived in Cordova.
“He (the captain) told me to take the crew and make sure they got off the boat,” Jack said. ”So we made sure we, as a group, that we made it off the boat.”
27 Comments
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April 23, 2010
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Nikki H. said:
Aww… That’s very sad. :(
I had tears in my eyes reading this.
Rest in Peace Robert Royer.
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April 23, 2010
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Joyce Hejl said:
Morgan, My heart goes out to the family and friends of Captain Royer.
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April 24, 2010
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Dennis Flood said:
May Robert Royer rest in peace.God Bless his family. Denny
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April 24, 2010
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STaggart said:
My prayers are with the family of Captain Robert Royer during there time of need. A special prayer goes out to friends of the Captain as I know it’s never easy to let go. It’s our hearts desire to never let go of those we love.
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April 25, 2010
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Dominick J Vietri said:
Another great loss to this great profession.GOD BLESS and rest in peace.
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April 25, 2010
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Lee B said:
Rob was so smart that he didn’t suffer fools very well and deservedly so as he was the most competent engineer and captain immaginable. He was a wonderfully kind man to his friends, with the most contageous of smiles and sense of humor and booming laugh that you couldn’t help but laugh along. He will be missed by many as he left us way too soon.
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April 27, 2010
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Tiffany said:
thats sad, and i was wondering did they ever rescue the dog that was put in the survivual suit the captain put him in?
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April 27, 2010
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kevin griggs said:
These guys are REAL men, they don’t play around. These fishermen provide an awesome example of how real men act, how real men respond to danger, how real men face danger, and how real men face death.
All men should follow their examples and stop being pussies.
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April 28, 2010
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Melissa Bickel said:
I thought I’d left a comment on here before. My thoughts and prayers are with the captain’s family and friends.
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April 30, 2010
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Sandy L. said:
I new Robert as a boy and young man. He was a great guy, so much fun, kind and thoughtful. I am so very sad and my heart is aching for his family and my nephew who was his best friend.
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May 1, 2010
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joe m said:
I worked for rob in 2009 for four months on one of his boats. The boat I was on was called the sunnyvale. Rob was one of the most hardcore guys I have ever worked with. He also had a great since of humor when were not working. I remember when he gave a piece of line and said “can you tie a bowline?” It was my first bowline that I have done in about 8 months so it took me a bit. I got it done and he said “its about fuckin time!” With a smile in his face. We both laughed and I came aboard and we talked About the job ahead. I came down to ballard after the season was done and we reminised about bad and good times that summer. I felt good. That was the last time I spoke with him. I heard about his death and was really shocked. He loved his dog so much. I remember being on the northern belle and throwing the ball up the stairs and baxter would catch it and drop it back to me. We all had good times on the northern belle I had dinner with rob and his crew many times that summer and it was really relaxing to get are minds off the job. R.I.P rob
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May 3, 2010
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Frederick Peterson said:
I trained Robert, back in the Eastpoint days at Dutch Harbor. Along with a fellow named Tony Olsen. He and some of the crew spent a Christmas with me and my family. circa early 70′s. Bob had hair then.
Bob, was a goer! A good man, always smiling and laughing. A good engineer and later captain.
Frederick (Rick) Peterson.
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May 3, 2010
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Frederick Peterson said:
In reflection I have the date a little to early. The years run together.
Rick Peterson…..
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May 4, 2010
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Janette said:
So sorry that this has happened. Another great captain is gone…but not forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family in this time of greiving and hope that their hearts can take the load that has been put on them. My condolences…
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May 5, 2010
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Tighe said:
Sad to hear of the death of a working man who saved his crew (and his dog) and the lord will bless him without a doubt. The all powerful, omniscient God and his son Jesus knew this was going to happen as part of their plan, and we cannot be sad because Godswill is not to be questioned. We will all see each other soon enough, and until then have fond memories.
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May 13, 2010
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Sandy R. said:
I miss my brother, Captain Robert Royer and his dog, Baxter.
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May 19, 2010
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Bobbi F. said:
My sympathy to the family and friends at the passing of Captain Rob Royer and his dog, Baxter. May God keep them all safe as they go through this most difficult of times. Nothing can ever make things the same again however, time will make it easier to bear.
With prayers and sympathy,
Bobbi
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May 20, 2010
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Allison Hill said:
Fishing is a nice sport and it is a good past time too. I enjoy fishing specially during weekends.’-;
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December 13, 2010
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Plastic Holder said:
there are many hobbies out there but there is no other hobby like fishing, fishing is every enjoyable “,’
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May 19, 2011
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ppi reclaiming said:
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May 21, 2011
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Susan said:
A sad story. This chap clearly loved his dog. A tragic end to life.
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May 24, 2011
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Chuck said:
He was a true hero – there aren’t many people like him who would risk their own life to save everyoen else first. May he rest i peace…
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May 31, 2011
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karen said:
Words can never express the heartfelt sorrows…
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July 14, 2011
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