HONOLULU — The Coast Guard and good Samaritans are searching for a mariner who fell overboard 24 miles south of Oahu, Sunday.
Multiple air and surface Coast Guard crews are searching with assistance from three good Samaritan crews. Servicemembers from Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37 have also been requested. Sector Honolulu watchstanders have issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notification requesting anyone in the area to keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress.
“We are currently searching for a 39-year-old male boater who fell overboard while reeling in a fish,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Sarah Dupre, a Sector Honolulu watchstander. “He was reported as wearing a long-sleeve, grey shirt and boots. We request anyone with information to hail us on channel VHF 16 or by phone at 808-842-2600.”
At 11:51 a.m., Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a radio call from a boater on the 18-foot pleasure-craft Amie C II reporting the situation. The boater stated the mariner was not wearing a life jacket at the time and was reportedly a good swimmer. The boater secured the engine and went to get a floatation device from the vessel’s cabin. When she re-emerged the mariner in the water was no longer visible.
Sector Honolulu watchstanders immediately issued the UMIB and launched asset crews from Air Station Barbers Point, Station Honolulu and the cutter Joseph Gerczak. The crew of the cutter Mellon was on patrol and diverted to assist. Three good Samaritan crews in the area heard the UMIB and offered to search as well.
Currently Involved in the search:
-A Station Honolulu 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew
-Two Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrews
-The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126)
-The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon (WHEC 717)
-Three good Samaritan crews
Air Station Barbers Point crews deployed Self Locating Data Markers to verify water current strength and direction. The weather on scene is winds of 28 mph and seas up to 8 feet.
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