U.S. Coast Guard photos.
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public's help identifying the owner of a 13-foot white sailing dinghy found near Kaneohe Bay, Wednesday.
Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the sailing dinghy is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at 808-842-2600.
Watchstanders at the Sector Honolulu command center received a report at 5:25 p.m., from MCB Hawaii Waterfront Operations that a Marine Corps helicopter crew spotted an unmanned adrift paddleboard while conducting training near Kaneohe Bay.
Waterfront Operations launched a small boat crew to relocate the paddleboard. Once on-scene, the crew reported that it was not a paddleboard, but a small sailing dinghy with no mast, sail or means of propulsion.
Attempts to contact the owner have been made, however the vessel is not currently registered.
There are currently no reported signs of distress or missing persons in the area.
The Coast Guard offers free "If Found" decals to be placed in a visible location on small, human-powered watercraft through the Operation Paddle Smart program. The information on the sticker can allow response entities to quickly identify the vessel's owner and aid search and rescue planners in determining the best course of action. Positive identification may also allow the item to be returned to the owner.
The stickers can be obtained for free at local harbormasters, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, from Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron offices and at select marine retail and supply stores.
In addition to providing 24-hour security for base and a waterborne search and rescue capability, MCB Hawaii Waterfront Operations personnel also conduct mission and training support for the many Marine, Navy, and Coast Guard units in Hawaii. They also provide MCB Hawaii with a readily accessible Environmental Response Team in case of an oil spill in Kaneohe Bay.