Courtesy photos.
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard searching for the owner or operator of a jet ski found at Kualoa Beach Park, Saturday.
An HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Air Station Barbers Point is currently searching for a possible person in the water, who may have been aboard the jet ski.
Anyone with information that may help identify the owner or operator of the jet ski 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 p.m., from the Department of Land and Natural Resources stating they had located a black and yellow jet ski on the beach, registration numbers HA1219H on the side.
Sector Honolulu issued an urgent marine information broadcast notice to mariners and launched the Hercules crew. There are currently no reported signs of distress or missing persons in the area.
"The Coast Guard encourages ocean goers to always file a float plan and leave it with a reliable person who can be depended upon to notify the Coast Guard, or other rescue agency, should you not return or check‐in as planned," said Lt. Nicholas Spence, a command duty officer at Sector Honolulu. "In addition, it’s important to label your watercraft with contact information so that if found adrift, we can help identify the owner and determine whether or not that person is in distress."
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.