By SUZANNE DOWNING
March 4, 2026 – Three Southeast Alaska fishermen are facing federal charges after allegedly sinking their own vessels in separate incidents near Sitka and Petersburg last year, according to court documents filed by federal prosecutors.
The three men — John Fisher, 59, of Sitka; Joseph Poling, 40, of Petersburg; and Toni Vanveen, 65, of Sitka — were each charged through separate criminal information filings last month with one count of obstruction of navigable waters by sinking a vessel, a violation of federal law that prohibits deliberately blocking waterways used for maritime navigation.
According to court filings, Fisher is accused of intentionally sinking the fishing vessel F/V Igloo in Sitka Sound on March 8, 2025. Poling allegedly sank the F/V Leeward in Thomas Bay near Petersburg on Aug. 3, 2025. In the third case, prosecutors say Vanveen intentionally sank the F/V O’kisutch in Sitka Harbor sometime between Sept. 28 and Oct. 3, 2025.
Federal authorities say the deliberate sinking of vessels in navigable waters can pose hazards to other vessels and may create environmental concerns, particularly if fuel, oil, or other contaminants are released.
Each of the three defendants faces the same charge of obstruction of navigable waters. If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in federal prison and up to one year behind bars. The charge also carries potential fines of up to $25,000 per day for every day the sunken vessel remains in the water.
A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The cases were announced by U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and Paul Schultz, special agent in charge of the US Coast Guard Investigative Service’s Northwest Field Office.
The US Coast Guard Investigative Service led the investigation, with assistance from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Environmental Crimes Unit.
The cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen M. Speer of the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt.
One thought on “Three Southeast Alaska fishermen charged with intentionally sinking their vessels last year”
The other day I met a commercial fisherman in front of Walmart selling dollar bills for a quarter. After buying a bunch, I asked him why he was doing such a wacky thing. He said, “Well, it sure beats fishing………………..”