The person at the center of this case
Dennis Jay Olberding
Missing Person · Unsolved - Presumed Deceased
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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vehicle
Lead #1What was the condition of the Barbarossa before departure, and were there any mechanical or structural issues that may have contributed to the capsizing?
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evidence
Lead #2Has any wreckage, debris, or remains from the Barbarossa ever been recovered or documented by fishing vessels or researchers in the area?
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witness
Lead #3Were there any other vessels in the vicinity that received or witnessed the distress call or the vessel's final moments?
Dennis Jay Olberding, a 38-year-old crew member, went missing on February 10, 1991, when the 98-foot crab fishing vessel Barbarossa was lost 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 never located the vessel or crew, and it is presumed the boat capsized and sank. Five other crewmen disappeared with Dennis, and despite decades passing, questions remain about the exact circumstances of the maritime disaster and whether any remains or wreckage could still be recovered.
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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.
💡
clue
Lead #4What specific weather and sea conditions existed in the Bering Sea on February 10, 1991, that night?
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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 98-foot steel crab fishing vessel Barbarossa transmitted a distress call around 1:00 AM from the Bering Sea, approximately 30 miles west of St. George Island. The vessel is presumed to have capsized and sank with six crew members aboard.
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