U.S. Coast Guard photos.
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard is seeking the public's help in identifying the owner of a dive float found in the vicinity of Punaluu, Oahu, Saturday.The dive float is orange with a dive flag and green mesh bag attached to it.Anyone with information that may help identify the owner of the dive float 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 12:44 p.m. from a good Samaritan who located the dive float on the shore.Sector Honolulu watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast notice to mariners and launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point to search the area.There are currently no reported signs of distress or missing persons in the area."The Coast Guard encourages owners who lose their water craft and dive gear to report it to the Coast Guard with a good description so that we can eliminate any unnecessary searches," said Lt. j.g. Christa Funk, a search and rescue coordinator at the Sector Honolulu command center.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.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.