Coast Guard suspends search for missing fishermen
COURTESY U.S. COAST GUARD
The Coast Guard suspended the search for three missing fishermen tonight. Their 20-foot fishing vessel, Iwa, was spotted overturned by the Coast Guard approximately 25 miles off Haleiwa Boat Harbor on Monday.
The Coast Guard this evening suspended the search for three missing fishermen whose overturned boat was spotted in the water off the North Shore.
The missing are Jensen Loo, Clint Oshima, and Derek Thomas, all 30.
“To suspend an active search and rescue case without definitive resolution is one of the most difficult decisions to make,” said Capt. Michael Long, commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “We saturated the area in an attempt to locate these men with Coast Guard and partner agency crews, but pending further developments, we are suspending the active search. Our condolences and thoughts are with their friends and loved ones. A special thanks to our Department of Defense and local agency partners for their assistance in this case.”
Coast Guard boats and planes and Hawaii County watercraft and helicopters searched a total area of more than 27,600 square miles. The search area began off the North Shore, but extended as far west as Kauai and north up to nearly 100 miles offshore, based on drift models.
The men left Haleiwa on Sunday morning in the 20-foot Iwa and were supposed to return at 5 that afternoon. Family reported them missing Sunday.
On Monday, the Coast Guard spotted the Iwa overturned about 25 miles off Haleiwa Boat Harbor.
One response to “Coast Guard suspends search for missing fishermen”
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I know private boat operators are continuing the search. I hope there is a miracle in all of this but it looked impossible after day three of the search.