HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s help identifying the owner of an adrift dinghy found off Maui, Friday.
“We had a Coast Guard Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew searching the area,” said Sam Gardner, with Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “The dinghy was located at high tide with a 15-foot bowline and other equipment aboard. We suspect it came free from a mooring or was set adrift from the beach by the rising tide. Anyone with information helping to identify the owner of the dive float is requested to contact Sector Honolulu at 808-842-2600.”
There are no reports of missing persons at this time. The dinghy is an 11-foot white and grey inflatable craft with a Honda outboard. The engine is in the off position, and the kill switch is in place. Responders also found a few personal items aboard.
Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a report from good Samaritans stating they found the dinghy adrift two miles off Kaanapali Beach on Maui with no sign of the owner. Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners, and the Station Maui crew searched the area and brought the dinghy to shore.
Weather off the west side of Maui is forecast as east winds to 28 mph with wind waves 9 feet and isolated showers. A small craft advisory is active for all main Hawaiian Islands through 6 a.m. Monday.
If you lose kayaks, surfboards, dive floats, or safety equipment such as lifejackets, please report it to the Coast Guard to help our search and rescue specialists deconflict possible distress reports.