Coast Guard searching for missing boater off North Kohala coast
Coast Guard and Fire Department crews are searching for a missing boater last seen swimming to shore with his uncle after their boat capsized Saturday evening off the North Kohala coast.
Charles Locklar, 26, and his uncle were sailing a 10-foot skiff in high winds off Lapakahi State Park on Hawaii island, according to a news release today from the U.S. Coast Guard’s 14th District.
The uncle made it to shore and called 911 when he couldn’t find his nephew, the Coast Guard said.
The Hawaii County Fire Department alerted the Coast Guard at 7:45 p.m. Saturday, and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point was dispatched to search the area. The Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake was diverted from another search on Maui to help off the Big Island.
Air and ground crews from the Fire Department are also searching. Current weather conditions are east winds of 21 mph gusting to 31 mph with waves at a foot.
Mariners have been asked to keep a sharp lookout and report any sightings to the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.
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Meanwhile, the Coast Guard and others rescuers are continuing to search for missing free diver Josh Goodwin who disappeared Friday off Hana, Maui.
The Coast Guard’s 87-foot patrol boat Galveston Island is working with a 45-foot response boat and a Navy helicopter in that Maui search, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Amanda Levasseur.
“They are still searching,” she said. “There has been no talk of stopping.”