Coast Guard suspends search for missing free diver off Hawaii Island

HONOLULU, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

06.11.2020

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West 

U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard suspended their active search off Hawaii Island for Malcolm Davis, 20-years-old, Thursday evening.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Malcolm’s family and anyone affected by this tragedy,” said Cmdr. Ben Gates, Sector Honolulu Deputy Commander. “Working with the Hawaii County Fire Department, Navy, and Maui Fire Department our crews conducted 23 searches covering 1,101 square miles with no sign of Malcolm. While it is not an easy decision, we suspended the active search after sunset tonight pending any further new information.”

Davis was last seen Tuesday morning wearing white board shorts with black fins off Mahukona.

Involved in the search were:

- Hawaii County Fire Department Jet ski operators

- A Hawaii County Fire Department Rescue Boat crew

- Two Hawaii County Fire Department Helicopter crews

- Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrews

- Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrews

- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124)

- Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter crew

- Maui Fire Department crews

At 11:33 a.m., Tuesday, Sector Honolulu Command Center received a report from the Hawaii Fire Department dispatch notifying them of the situation.

Upon notification, Sector Honolulu issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners and deployed the Coast Guard assets to search the area. Over the following days, both Navy and Maui Fire Department crews joined the Coast Guard and Hawaii Fire Department crews in the search.

The weather on scene Tuesday was light and variable trade winds and seas up to four feet.

• Date Taken: 06.11.2020
• Date Posted: 06.12.2020 01:59
• Story ID: 371978
• Location: HONOLULU, HAWAII, US