The person at the center of this case
Timothy Joseph Schmitt
Missing Person · Open
35 years waiting · since 1991
Missing Person: Timothy Joseph Schmitt
Justice for Timothy Joseph Schmitt — 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 weather conditions or mechanical failures documented?
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person
Lead #2Five other crew members were also lost: Donald Bright, George Brandenburg, Dennis Olberding, Darrell Gross, and Brian McPherson. Were any remains or debris ever recovered?
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location
Lead #3Why was the search unable to locate the vessel or survivors despite the distress call being received?
Timothy Joseph Schmitt, a 30-year-old crew member, disappeared 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 were unable to locate the vessel or any survivors; it is presumed the boat capsized. Timothy remains missing along with five other crewmen, and the case highlights the dangers of commercial fishing in one of the world's most treacherous waters.
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP67212. Missing person: Timothy Joseph Schmitt.
Last known contact: 1991-02-10 in Dillingham, Dillingham, AK. Circumstances: Timothy 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. Timothy is missing with five other crewmen including Donald Bright (MP #66651), George Brandenburg (MP #67271), Dennis Olberding (MP #66824), Darrell Gross (MP #66865), and Brian McPherson (MP #66996).
Demographics: 30 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 9 in, 160 lbs, hair: Blond/Strawberry, eyes: Green.
Investigating agency: Alaska State Troopers | 910010518.
Timeline of Events
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1991-02-10
01:00Vessel distress and sinking
The 98-foot steel crab fishing vessel Barbarossa received a distress call around 1:00 AM in 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
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Case Information
Incident:February 10, 1991 at 1:00 AM
Last Updated:May 21, 2026
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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