HONOLULU – A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point located two missing kayakers beset by wind two miles offshore Kaena Point, Oahu about 10:20 a.m. today.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu were notified at 10 a.m. today that Honolulu fire Department was responding to three kayakers in distress near Kaena Point and diverted the Coast Guard helicopter crew already patrolling in the area.
The Air Station Barbers Point crew arrived on scene, located two of the kayakers tied together and vectored in an Ocean Safety Jet Ski crew who towed the two kayakers safely to shore.
The third kayaker was located by Honolulu Fire Department about 300 yards off share and safely towed the kayaker back to shore.
"The two kayakers acted correctly to improve their chances of being located quickly," said LT Kevin Edes, Sector Honolulu Command Center Supervisor. "By tying their kayaks together, they became a larger target more easily seen from the air."
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to always wear a life jacket, file a float plan with a friend and highly encourages recreational boaters to have an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). A new free Coast Guard Boating Safety Application is available on both IPhone and Android devices that has direct contact information to the nearest Coast Guard Command Center to report distress situations.