Coast Guard, partners search for possible missing diver

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard, federal and local first responders are searching for a possible diver in distress near He’eia Keea Small Boat Harbor, in Kaneohe, Thursday.

Watchstanders in Coast Guard Sector Honolulu were notified of a boogie board with a yellow mesh bag found floating approximately half a mile off of He’eia Keea Small Boat Harbor at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Crews aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Honolulu and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point were launched to search the area.

Crews from Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Waterfront Operations, Ocean Safety and Honolulu Fire Department are also searching the area.

Anyone with information concerning the float or possible diver in distress should contact the Coast Guard at 808-842-2601.

The boogie board had no identifying markings to assist first responders in locating the owner. The Coast Guard highly encourages mariners to label their watercraft with their name, address and phone number. A convenient way to do this is with a Paddle Smart weather-proof sticker. These stickers are free and can be easily applied by vessel owners. Paddle Smart stickers are available at local dive shops, harbormaster offices and yacht clubs. If a sticker isn’t available, a waterproof marker can be used to mark equipment. Labeling of watercraft is intended to help save lives, recover missing property, and reduce the time, effort and resources expended on non-emergency search and rescue.