The person at the center of this case
George August Brandenburg
Missing Person · Unsolved
35 years waiting · since 1991
Missing Person: George August Brandenburg
Justice for George August Brandenburg — 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 #1Why was no wreckage or debris from the 98-foot Barbarossa ever located despite Coast Guard search efforts?
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person
Lead #2Five other crew members were also lost with Brandenburg—were there any survivors or witnesses to the sinking?
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clue
Lead #3What caused the Barbarossa to capsize in the Bering Sea—weather conditions, mechanical failure, or another factor?
George August Brandenburg, a 39-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 never located the vessel or its six crew members, who are presumed to have perished when the boat capsized. The case remains unsolved, with no wreckage or bodies recovered to confirm the circumstances of the disaster.
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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.
📞
contact
Lead #4The distress call was received around 1:00 AM—what was the exact message and were coordinates provided?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67271. Missing person: George August Brandenburg.
Last known contact: 1991-02-10 in Dillingham, Dillingham, AK. Circumstances: George 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. George is missing with five other crewmen including Donald Bright (MP #66651), Dennis Olberding (MP #66824), Timothy Schmitt (MP #67212), Darrell Gross (MP #66865), and Brian McPherson (MP #66996).
Demographics: 39 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 165 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 sent 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.
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1991-02-10
Last Known Contact
George August Brandenburg was last seen aboard the Barbarossa on February 10, 1991.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:February 10, 1991 at 1:00 AM
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
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Phone: 9072695511
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Case Information
Incident:February 10, 1991 at 1:00 AM
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9072695511
You can remain anonymous