Coast Guard, Kauai Fire Department searching for missing swimmer off Kauai

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Tori Barrett | Coast Guard, Kauai Fire Department crews search for a swimmer missing off Lydgate Beach, Kauai, Nov. 3, 2018. Multiple agencies assisted in the search for the missing swimmer. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Kauai/Released)  

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES

11.04.2018

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West 

U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii Pacific

HONOLULU — Coast Guard, Kauai Fire Department crews continue to search for a swimmer missing off Lydgate Beach, Kauai, Saturday.

“We are currently searching for Darall Pascua who was last seen entering the water to retrieve his nets off Lydgate Beach,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Alvin Seguin, a watchstander with Sector Honolulu. “He is described as 55-years-old and last seen wearing red, yellow, and green swim trunks with fins. Anyone with information that may help is asked to contact us at 808-842-2600."

An Air Station Barbers Point HM- 65 Dolphin helicopter crew, Station Kauai 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew, and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) are currently searching the area off Kauai. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notice to Mariners requesting they keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress.

At 9:45 a.m., Saturday, Sector Honolulu watchstanders were notified of the situation by the Kauai Fire Department. Pascua was reportedly last seen heading out to retrieve his nets at the surf break off the beach. His possessions remain on shore.

The Kauai Fire Department dispatched a helicopter crew and a Jetski operator to search the area. A Station Kauai RB-M and Air Station Barbers Point Dolphin crews launched immediately to assist.

At 6 p.m., A Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crew from the Kaneohe Bay-based Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 also launched to search.

Currently involved in the search:
- An Air Station Barbers Point Dolphin helicopter crew
- The crew of the Coast Guard Gutter Joseph Gerzcak (WPC 1126)
- A Station Kauai RB-M crew
- Kauai County Fire Department Kapa‘a firefighters
- Ocean Safety lifeguards on Jetskis,
- Kauai County Fire Department Rescue 3 specialists aboard Air 1 helicopter

The weather on scene is reportedly winds of 20 mph and seas to 6 feet.

• Date Taken: 11.04.2018
• Date Posted: 11.04.2018 19:06
• Story ID: 298787
• Location: HONOLULU, HI, US