Imagery Available: Coast Guard seeks public's help identifying canoe owner near Makena, Maui

News Release

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

Imagery Available: Coast Guard seeks public's help identifying canoe owner near Makena, Maui

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

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s help identifying the owner of an unmanned, adrift canoe found approximately 1.5 miles off Makena Beach, Maui, Sunday. 

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Maui launched to search the area. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners to keep a sharp lookout 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 canoe is asked to contact Sector Honolulu at 808-842-2600.

At 11:18 a.m., watchstanders from the Sector Honolulu command center received notification from a good Samaritan regarding the blue and orange one-man, adrift canoe spotted and recovered over a mile offshore.

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. Similarly, if you lose kayaks, surfboard or safety equipment such as lifejackets, please report it to the Coast Guard to help our search and rescue specialists deconflict possible distress reports. 

The weather on scene is south, southeast winds about 5-9 mph with waves around 4 ft.

-USCG-