The person at the center of this case
Timothy Joseph Schmitt
Missing Person · Unsolved
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 #1Why was the distress call received but no wreckage or survivors were ever found despite Coast Guard search efforts?
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clue
Lead #2What were the sea and weather conditions on February 10, 1991, that may have contributed to the Barbarossa's rapid sinking?
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person
Lead #3Five other crew members were lost with Timothy Schmitt—could any remains or vessel debris provide closure to their families?
Timothy Joseph Schmitt, a 30-year-old crewman, 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 never located the vessel or any of the six crew members aboard. The circumstances of the sinking and the fate of the crew remain unknown, making this a significant maritime mystery from Alaska's fishing industry.
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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
01:00Distress Call and Vessel Loss
The 98-foot steel crab fishing vessel Barbarossa received a distress call around 1:00 AM. The vessel is presumed to have capsized and sank in the Bering Sea approximately 30 miles west of St. George Island.
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1991-02-10
Search Operation
Coast Guard initiated search operations following the distress call but did not locate the vessel or any crew members.
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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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