The person at the center of this case
Dennis Jay Olberding
Missing Person · Open - Presumed Lost at Sea
35 years waiting · since 1991
Missing Person: Dennis Jay Olberding
Justice for Dennis Jay Olberding — the trail went cold in 1991, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What caused the Barbarossa to capsize? Were there mechanical failures, severe weather, or other factors that led to the sinking?
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clue
Lead #2Why was the distress call not acted upon quickly enough to prevent the loss? Could earlier rescue response have changed the outcome?
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person
Lead #3Five other crew members were also lost: Donald Bright, George Brandenburg, Timothy Schmitt, Darrell Gross, and Brian McPherson. Are there any records of their families or colleagues with additional information?
Dennis Jay Olberding, a 38-year-old crew member, went missing on February 10, 1991, when the 98-foot crab fishing vessel Barbarossa sank in the Bering Sea approximately 30 miles west of St. George Island, Alaska. The Coast Guard received a distress call around 1:00 AM but was unable to locate the vessel or any of its six crew members before it capsized. Despite extensive search efforts, the wreck and the fate of the crew remain unknown, making this a significant maritime mystery that warrants continued investigation and public awareness.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
📍
location
Lead #4Has the wreck of the Barbarossa ever been located or surveyed? Deep-sea exploration technology may now allow recovery and investigation of the vessel.
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP66824. Missing person: Dennis Jay Olberding.
Last known contact: 1991-02-10 in Dillingham, Dillingham, AK. Circumstances: Dennis was last seen on 02/10/1991 aboard the 98 foot steel crab fishing vessel, Barbarossa, which was lost in the Bering Sea about 30 miles west of St.
George Island. The Coast Guard received a distress call from the boat around 1:00am but searches did not locate the boat or the crewmen.
It is presumed that the boat capsized and sank. Dennis is missing with five other crewmen including Donald Bright (MP #66651), George Brandenburg (MP #67271), Timothy Schmitt (MP #67212), Darrell Gross (MP #66865), and Brian McPherson (MP #66996).
Demographics: 38 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 6 ft 0 in, 170 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 910010518.
Timeline of Events
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1991-02-10
01:00Distress call and vessel loss
The Barbarossa, a 98-foot steel crab fishing vessel, sent a distress call around 1:00 AM from the Bering Sea approximately 30 miles west of St. George Island. The vessel capsized and sank with six crew members aboard.
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1991-02-10
Last known contact
Dennis Jay Olberding was last seen aboard the Barbarossa in Dillingham before the vessel departed for the fishing grounds.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:February 10, 1991 at 1:00 AM
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:February 10, 1991 at 1:00 AM
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous