Hawaii National Guard identifies boater missing off Oahu
STAR-ADVERTISER FILE
The Coast Guard said watchstanders received a call from someone aboard the 18-foot pleasure craft Amie C II who reported a boater fell overboard while reeling in a fish at about 11:50 a.m. Sunday.
The search continues this morning for a 39-year-old boater who went overboard while fishing off of Oahu Sunday morning.
He is identified as Matthew Moribe, according to spokesman Maj. Jeff Hickman of the Hawaii Army National Guard.
Moribe is a retired technical sergeant of the Hawaii Air National Guard. He served as an integrated avionics craftsman in the 154th Maintenance Squadron.
Moribe was awarded the Global War on Terrorism, Outstanding Unit Award and National Defense Service Medal for his service with the National Guard that spanned more than 20 years.
The Coast Guard said watchstanders received a call from someone aboard the 18-foot pleasure craft Amie C II who reported a boater fell overboard while reeling in a fish at about 11:50 a.m. Sunday.
Moribe was 24 miles south of Oahu at the time. The caller said he was not wearing a life jacket and described him as a good swimmer.
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The woman aboard the boat secured the engine and went to get a flotation device from the vessel’s cabin. When she came back out, he was no longer visible.
Moribe was wearing a long-sleeve, grey shirt and boots.
The Coast Guard deployed its HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, 45-foot response boat-medium and two Coast Guard cutters Oliver Berry and Joseph Gerczak.
