Pacesetter was reported missing in 1996 by the United States Coast Guard Seventeenth District headquartered at Kodiak, Alaska.

Deadliest Catch star Sig Hansen was once briefly employed as the ship's cook, but never went to sea with her after injuring his ankle.

The crew was Stephen Mack, Richard Anderson, Michael Kirk Ericson Sr., Byron Koesterman, Elias Pena, and Stanley Estesad.

United States Coast Guard District 17 at Kodiak, Alaska, picked up an emergency position-indicating radiobeacon station (EPIRB) distress beacon.

From the testimony of crews from other boats and pot yard records, the Coast Guard ruled the vessel was overloaded and traveling in adverse weather conditions when she heeled, rolled over, and sank.