The Coast Guard and Hawaii County Fire Department are searching for a missing fisherman near Hilo’s break wall.
The Coast Guard and Hawaii County Fire Department are searching for a missing fisherman near Hilo’s break wall.
Just before 5 a.m. Wednesday, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received a report of a possible person in the water in the area.
Coast Guard aircrews from Air Station Barbers Point aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane have been launched in addition to the USCGC Galveston Island. The fire department has ground crews searching the shore and expect to launch a boat crew and helicopter at first light.
The Coast Guard has issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast requesting the assistance of mariners in the area to keep a look out and report any sightings to command center watchstanders at 808-842-2600.
Weather conditions in the area are forecast as winds 17 mph with wind waves at 4 feet and swell to 9 feet. There is a slight chance of showers in the morning. A high surf advisory is in effect for east facing shores of all main Hawaiian Islands.