Editor's note: For audio of the mayday call, click on the thumbnail above.
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public's assistance after receiving a mayday call from a mariner in distress approximately 10 miles south of Honolulu Harbor, Thursday.
According to audio files of the distress call, the name of the vessel is Kolea.
Watchstanders at Sector Honolulu Command Center received a mayday call over VHF radio channel 16 from a distressed mariner at 6:37 a.m. reporting flooding aboard his boat.
The origin of the mayday call was determined to be 10 miles south of Honolulu Harbor.
Currently searching are an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, a Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Honolulu, and Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Honolulu.
A Coast Guard Auxiliary airplane and boat are also assisting with search efforts.
On-scene assets have searched a total of 603 square miles.
Current on-scene weather conditions are 17 mile per hour winds with 5 foot seas.
The description of the vessel and number of people aboard are unknown.
Anyone with information that could assist in identifying the mariner in distress, the vessel, or voyage plan should contact the Sector Honolulu Command Center at (808) 842-2600.