Imagery Available: Coast Guard seeks public's help identifying owner of found paddle board off Maalaea Bay, Maui     


News Release

Jan. 2, 2018 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 identifying owner of found paddle board off Maalaea Bay, Maui        
   

    

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

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s help identifying the owner of an unmanned and adrift red paddle board found two miles off Maalaea Bay, Maui, Tuesday.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Maui launched to search the area along with shore.

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners to keep a sharp lookout eye for signs of distress.

There are currently no reports of missing persons in the area.

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

At approximately 6:52 a.m., watchstanders from the Sector Honolulu command center received notification from a good Samaritan stating they came across an unmanned and adrift paddle board  approximately two miles off Maalaea Bay.

It is recommended owners 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.

 

-USCG-