HONOLULU — The owner of the adrift blue kayak found Thursday has been located safe ashore on Maui.
The kayaker was never in distress. He contacted the Coast Guard after he saw the local news reporting the kayak was found and said that the wind possibly carried it away from his sailing vessel moored at Mala Wharf, Maui.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center received a call from the operator of the dive boat, Grad School, stating he recovered an adrift blue kayak approximately a quarter of a mile offshore from Mala Wharf.
Sector Honolulu issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and launched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Maui to search the area.
An engine crew from the Maui Fire Department was dispatched to Mala Wharf.
The Coast Guard advises the public to register and label all watercraft and equipment with contact information in order to quickly account for owners and prevent any unnecessary searches.
Through the Operation Paddle Smart program, the Coast Guard offers a free “If Found” decal to be placed in a visible location on small, human-powered watercraft. 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, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, from Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron offices and at select marine retail and supply stores.
