Search continues for missing Kauai sailor

The Coast Guard was planning to search overnight Monday for a 66-year-old man aboard a 36-foot sailboat that departed Kauai Dec. 17 and was expected to arrive on Oahu the following day.

On Monday a HC-130 airplane searched about 31,600 square miles of ocean near Kauai and Oahu. Since the search began Sunday, the Coast Guard said it has searched more than 72,000 square miles.

Ira Foreman of Seattle left Port Allen late in the morning of Dec. 17 and was expected to arrive at Keehi Lagoon Dec. 18, the Coast Guard said. Foreman’s wife reported him overdue at 3:15 p.m. Saturday to Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.

Foreman departed on the sailboat Arcturus, which is described as having a white hull, white sails, no name on the transom and four portholes on each side.

The Coast Guard launched an HC-130 Hercules patrol airplane from Barbers Point at 7 a.m. Sunday. On Monday evening an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew joined the search.

Anyone with any information on Foreman’s whereabouts is asked to contact Coast Guard Sector Honolulu at 842-2600.