Day 44….calmer winds but cooler temperatures of -14 did not hinder efforts today. BSAR members met early this morning at BSAR headquarters with plans to go forth and hopefully find. Excited still because of at the recovery of Evan two days ago. The Pro 4 VideoRay ROV spent hours today operated by Crossmon underneath ice searching for Sally Stone in many directions at the mouth of the Kisaralik River off of the Kuskokwak slough and below where Evan was recovered. Lots of area was covered in 160 foot distances down the slough and with the 260 foot tether attached to the ROV and an additional 60 feet of sonar search, many areas were looked at more than once. The Blueview sonar sweeps an area 130 degrees in width and 20 degrees in height making searching efficient for both the bottom of the riverbed and while returning to the ice hole, below the ice.
We also had invited elder Eddie Noratak of Akiachak to assist in possible search locations as he was instrumental in pointing out the general area where Evan was located and the way the Kuskokwak slough behaves. We at BSAR appreciate his knowledge and wisdom. We also had elder Henry Tikiun of Atmautluak assist us with his traditional knowledge and advice. We always have a willing ear for direction from our treasured elders.
Later after arriving back at BSAR headquarters at the end of the day, without locating Stone, we met with the family of Evan who expressed gratitude and happiness of his recovery. We all hugged and cried with the family and accepted their thankfulness. But this is what we do for them. Something that we hope in the future if anything happens to us personally, we can be brought home too and to do God’s work. Also during this time, we all hoped and prayed that in the future, we can deliver this message to everyone lost in our area. To bring everyone home…..
We at BSAR are asking now for support letters from the entire Y-K Delta with our 56 villages and other entities interested elsewhere to ask the State of Alaska to provide funds for the Pro 4 VideoRay for search and recovery efforts in our area. We believe this apparatus is the best “Up to date” tool that will assist us in recovering our loved ones in a timely manner. We have been utilizing drag bars and cutting trenches in the ice to recover people for many years which has been labor intensive and takes many days and many people to accomplish. We need the technology to assist us in providing faster recovery and discovery of our loved ones to bring them back home. If we had this technology and apparatus at the beginning of this search, we would have accomplished this already. If you are willing to provide a “letter of support” to BSAR receiving the Pro 4 VideoRay, please mail to our address or fax to our phone number in Bethel. 
We will be searching tomorrow with Crossmon and his ROV for the majority of the day….But he will be leaving Saturday evening, back home to Minnesota, where he has been missed. But we understand that his loving family will be glad to have him back home and we thank them for allowing him to come and help us in our efforts.
