Coast Guard suspends search for missing fisherman; County search continues
The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing fisherman off the Big island, however Hawaii County Fire Department will resume its search Friday.
Charles Rosecranes was making engine repairs to the 15-foot boat he and his friend were operating when he reportedly fell overboard at about 1 a.m. Wednesday in Pohoiki Bay.
A fire department helicopter has conducted an aerial search along the shoreline of up to 1 mile offshore from Kehena Beach to Kapoho Bay. Also, scuba divers have combed through areas in the bay.
County search operations will continue Friday at first light.
The missing fisherman was wearing a blue and white pin-striped shirt, rain coat, pants and rubber boots.
However, the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, homeported in Hilo, and the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island, homeported in Honolulu and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point will not participate in the search.
“The suspension of our active search effort is always a difficult decision and is not made lightly,” Chief Petty Officer Dustin Costa, search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, said in a news release. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”