Coast Guard suspends search for missing fisherman off Waianae
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Coast Guard has suspended its search for an overdue boater west of Oahu.
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Officials said the search was suspended at 7 p.m. Monday after crews spent several days searching for the missing 61-year-old fisherman.
The man departed on a fishing trip early Wednesday morning and was reportedly last seen fishing near the Waianae coast off the southwest side of Oahu.
In total, Coast Guard and Navy crews searched more than 178,898 square miles over 122 combined hours.
“The decision to suspend active search efforts comes after an exhaustive, coordinated search conducted under challenging conditions,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nic Iannarone, search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and community impacted by this tragedy.”
On Sunday, a good Samaritan located a partially sunken vessel matching the description of the missing man’s boat about 18 miles west of Waianae.
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Friends of the missing man responded to the scene, confirmed the vessel belonged to him, and towed it back to Waianae Small Boat Harbor after righting the boat.
The Coast Guard said the fisherman had been aboard a 19-foot vessel with a white hull, pink trim and twin outboard engines.
Search efforts began Thursday after the harbormaster at Waianae Small Boat Harbor reported the man’s truck and trailer were still at the boat ramp.
Multiple agencies assisted in the search, including Coast Guard air and boat crews and a Navy airplane crew from Navy Command Task Force-32.
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