MEDIA RELEASE

The Coast Guard suspended the active search Thursday at 11 a.m. for a possible fisherman missing near the break wall in Hilo on the Big Island.

“Making the decision to suspend a search never gets easier,” said Capt. Michael Long, commander, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “We extend our thanks to our partners in the Hawaii County Fire Department for their support and time on this search.”

Responders conducted a total of 17 searches covering 138 square miles over a span of 32 hours.

Involved in the search were:

• Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews and C-130 Hercules airplane crews from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point
• The crew of the USCGC Galveston Island (WPB-1349)
• Hawaii County Fire Department air crews, boat crews and ground crews

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification just before 5 a.m. Wednesday, from Honolulu County Fire Department of a possible person in the water off the Hilo break wall prompting the searches. No missing persons or other reports were correlated to the case.