Missing Waikiki paddler found off Ewa Beach
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point poses with Niel Bode, of Seattle, who flashes a shaka sign after his rescue Thursday about three miles south of Ewa Beach.
Crew members from the Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island recovered a rental stand up paddle board after Niel Bode was rescued off Ewa Beach Thursday morning after drifting from Waikiki Wednesday afternoon.
The Coast Guard released a photo of 32-year-old Niel Bode, of Seattle, who rented a stand-up paddle board in Waikiki Wednesday, but did not return.
The Coast Guard plucked a missing Seattle tourist from the ocean Thursday morning after he drifted for about 15 hours and 10 miles away from Waikiki, where he rented a paddleboard for an afternoon beach outing.
A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescued Niel Bode, 32, just after 7 a.m., about three miles south of Ewa Beach. The Coast Guard earlier said he was found seven miles from Ewa Beach.
Except for dehydration, Bode was in “good spirits and good condition,” the Coast Guard said.
A Coast Guard swimmer helped Bode into a basket at about 6:45 a.m. and he was hoisted to the helicopter, which flew him to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point.
The Coast Guard said Bode lost his paddle and couldn’t make his way to shore.
Paramedics treated him and took him to the hospital.
The Coast Guard said the agency used currents and wind patterns to plan its search for Bode.
A family member called the Honolulu Fire Department at 7:13 p.m. Wednesday after Bode, 32, did not return after sunset to bring back the board and to collect his personal belongings, the Fire Department reported.
His wallet, keys and cell phone were found at the beach.
Bode rented a paddleboard and went out at 3:45 p.m. in waters off Waikiki Beach, but did not return by the time the paddleboard company closed at about 5:15 p.m., the Coast Guard said.
The green, rented paddleboard is 10 feet 6 inches long with a black top.
A high surf advisory was in effect Wednesday for south shores of all islands.
The Fire Department searched for the man on shore and offshore, and used its helicopter and rescue boat but suspended the search about 9:30 p.m. The search resumed at 6 a.m.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, a 45-foot medium response boat from Coast Guard Station Honolulu, and the Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island searched through the night for Bode.
