Search Efforts Continue for Missing Swimmer

Search for a New Jersey man swept out to sea off the North Shore over the weekend continues.

This morning, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to Kauai Now News crews remained on scene in waters off Lumaha‘i Beach, near Lumaha‘i River, throughout the night in an effort to locate 25-year-old Matthew Preziose. The search continues today.

The male swimmer is described as wearing dark-blue shorts, no shirt, and 3 gold chains. Waterway users are requested to keep a sharp lookout for signs of distress and anyone with information is requested to contact the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.

Preziose was swept out to sea on Saturday, March 5. According to a preliminary report, rescuers were dispatched shortly after 1 p.m. when two swimmers were in distress in waters off Lumaha‘i Beach, near Lumaha‘i River, 200-yards off shore. One of the swimmers was able to make it back to the beach while the other remained missing.

At the time, the Coast Guard Station Kauaʻi launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew in response and notified Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders who issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners and deployed an Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry.

First responders from the Kauaʻi Fire Department, Kauaʻi Ocean Safety, Kauaʻi Police Department, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources were also deployed to search and an incident command post was established.

Involved in the search so far:

Crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry
Station Kauaʻi 45-foot response boat medium crews
Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crews
Kauaʻi Fire Department Air 1 Helicopter crew
Ocean Safety Jet Ski operators
Kauaʻi Fire Department ground crews
Kauaʻi Police Department officers
Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources responders