Imagery Available: Coast Guard seeks public’s help finding owner of adrift surfboard off Wailupe Beach Park, Oahu

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/02/2017 01:48 AM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

September 1, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 14th District Hawaii and the Pacific
Contact: 14th District Public Affairs
Office: (808) 535-3230
After Hours: (808) 341-9849

Imagery Available: Coast Guard seeks public’s help finding owner of adrift surfboard off Wailupe Beach Park, Oahu

The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s help identifying the owner of a surfboard found adrift and unmanned about 300 yards off of Wailupe Beach Park, Oahu, Sept. 1, 2017. Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the surfboard is asked to contact Sector Honolulu at 808-842-2600. (Courtesy photo/Released)    The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s help identifying the owner of a surfboard found adrift and unmanned about 300 yards off of Wailupe Beach Park, Oahu, Sept. 1, 2017. Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the surfboard is asked to contact Sector Honolulu at 808-842-2600. (Courtesy photo/Released)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s help identifying the owner of a surfboard found adrift and unmanned about 300 yards off of Wailupe Beach Park, Oahu, Friday.

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast alerting mariners in the area to keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point launched to search the area along with crews from Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services.

There are currently no reported signs of distress or missing persons in the area. The surfboard is white, orange and yellow and says Bruce Jones on the top.

Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the surfboard is asked to contact Sector Honolulu at 808-842-2600.

At 6:28 p.m., watchstanders from the Sector Honolulu command center received a call from Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services stating that a good Samaritan recovered an adrift surfboard. Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services personnel queried people on the beach and one witness said they saw the surfboard drifting for approximately two hours but did not see anyone use the board.

It is recommended owner's of watersports equipment write their name and phone number on their gear. The Coast Guard offers free "If Found" decals to be placed in a visible location on small, human-powered watercraft through the Operation Paddle Smart program. The information on the sticker can allow response entities to quickly identify the vessel's owner and aid search and rescue planners in determining the best course of action.

The stickers can be obtained for free at local harbormasters, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, from Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron offices and at select marine retail and supply stores.

 

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