Imagery available: Coast Guard seeks assistance to identify owner of adrift kayak off Maui

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/10/2019 01:24 AM EDT

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 14th District Hawaii and the Pacific
Contact: 14th District Public Affairs
Office: (808) 535-3230
After Hours: (808) 265-7748
14th District online newsroom

 

Imagery available: Coast Guard seeks assistance to identify owner of adrift kayak off Maui

Kayak kayak kayak

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

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public's help to identify the owner of a green kayak found near Lahaina, Tuesday.

A Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew launched to search the area. Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners requesting they keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress. There are currently no reports of missing persons in the area. 

“The green Scrambler XT kayak was found approximately a quarter-mile off of the Mala Boat Ramp this afternoon,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Audrey Cage, a Sector Honolulu watchstander. “We are asking anyone with information regarding the kayak to please contact us at 808-842-2600.”

At 2:20 p.m., Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a report from the master of the sailing vessel Teralani 2 stating they had recovered the adrift kayak and there were no signs of the owner. The RB-M crew launched and searched the area while Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued the UMIB.  

“We recommend waterway users mark their equipment with their contact information,” said Cage. “This allows us to quickly identify if a person is in trouble or reunite the owner with their property.”

The Coast Guard offers free “If Found” decals to mark gear or you write directly on it. The information on the sticker can allow responders to determine if someone is in distress more quickly and help get your equipment back to you. The labels 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.

-USCG-