Courtesy photo.
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is searching for the owner of an unmanned adrift kayak found approximately nine miles southwest of Kewalo Basin, Oahu, Saturday.
Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the kayak is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at 808-842-2600.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point is currently searching the area. Sector Honolulu also issued an urgent marine information broadcast alerting mariners in the area to the situation.
Watchstanders at the Sector Honolulu Command Center received a report at 10:11 a.m., from a good Samaritan who spotted the unmanned and adrift kayak while at sea.
The kayak is red, white and blue with the words Islander on the sides.
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.