Coast Guard halts hunt for snorkeler off Kauai

The search for a missing California man who was last seen snorkeling off of Haena on Kauai last week was suspended at dawn Monday after a three-day search.

He has been identified as Perry Bagamaspad, 46.

“The decision to suspend an active search is never an easy one and our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time,” said Petty Officer 1st Class William Cusic, watch-stander of the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, in a news release.

Bagamaspad’s wife reported him missing Thursday night after he failed to return from snorkeling at Makua Beach, also known as Tunnels Beach.

Authorities said he was at the beach with his wife and entered the water at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday. He was last seen snorkeling toward the open ocean in dark board shorts and a long-sleeved, gray surf shirt.

The Coast Guard was alerted to the missing snorkeler Friday morning. It issued a marine information broadcast to mariners and deployed the cutter Galveston Island, a 45-foot response boat and a helicopter in search of the snorkeler.

The Kauai County Fire Department launched its rescue helicopter and rescue watercraft. Fire rescue personnel and lifeguards also searched onshore for Ba­gamaspad.

Since Friday the Coast Guard searched over 675 square miles of water, Coast Guard spokeswoman Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda Levasseur said.

Anyone with information on Bagamaspad’s whereabouts is asked to call Kauai police at 241-1711.