Three Fishermen Admit to Sinking Boats | Anchorage News

Three Southeast Alaska commercial fishermen—John Fisher, Joseph Poling, and Tony Vanveen—have all admitted to sinking their own boats, facing separate federal charges despite similar circumstances. Fisher confessed to sinking his vessel, the Igloo, near Sitka in March 2025, accepting a one-month jail term and supervised release. Poling pleaded guilty for sinking the Leeward in Thomas Bay, facing a $6,000 fine and five years probation. Vanveen also took responsibility for sinking the O’Kisutch in late September or early October 2025, with prosecutors recommending 30 days in jail and a year of supervised release. Their cases underscore a growing crisis: Alaska’s abandoned boat problem, with over 400 derelict vessels languishing due to costly maintenance and disposal costs.

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