Coast Guard suspends search for missing fisherman off Maui

Coast Guard suspends search for missing fisherman off Maui

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing fisherman 80 miles north of Hana, Maui, late Tuesday.

“We extend our condolences to the friends and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” said Petty Officer 1st Class William Cusic, a Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstander. “Our crews worked diligently, but unfortunately there has been no sign of the missing fisherman and the Coast Guard has suspended the active search pending further developments.”

Responders conducted a total of 30 searches covering 10,246 square miles (7,737 nautical square miles) over a span of two days.

Involved in the search were:

- Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrews
- A Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crew from the Kaneohe Bay-based Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37
- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake (WBP 87316)

Sunday afternoon, Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a distress call from the master of the 68-foot fishing vessel Kawaiola reporting one of their crewmembers reportedly went overboard. He was last seen on the deck of the vessel at 2:30 p.m. Later, the crew realized he was no longer aboard and made the distress call.

The fisherman is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, and he was last seen wearing jeans. Mariners are requested to keep a lookout for signs of distress while transiting the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sector Honolulu Command Center at 808-842-2600.

-USCG-