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 had 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 3 miles south of 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, dressed in only board shorts, lost his paddle and couldn’t make his way to shore.
Paramedics treated him and took him to a hospital.
The Coast Guard used currents and wind patterns to plan its search for Bode. After searching through the night, a Coast Guard helicopter found him within the search area based on its "drift models."
On Wednesday police issued a missing-person bulletin for Bode, who was described as "emotionally distraught."
Police said Bode rented a green paddleboard and a red paddle at 3:45 p.m. and went into the waters off Waikiki Beach.
His wallet, keys and cellphone were found at the beach.
The paddleboard company contacted the Honolulu Fire Department after Bode didn’t return by closing time at 5:15 p.m. The search began at an area called "Walls" at 2579 Kalakaua Ave. It was called off just after 9:33 p.m. Wednesday and resumed at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Shortly after the search resumed, firefighters recovered a paddle in Waikiki and met with the rental company.
Within an hour the Coast Guard reported finding the missing man adrift off Ewa Beach.
