Search suspended for snorkeler who went missing Sunday in waters off Kaua‘i

The search for a missing 58-year-old man (his age was previously reported as 59) who went missing during the weekend in waters off a popular Kaua‘i beach has been suspended.

The U.S. Coast Guard reports the multi-agency search ceased at noon Wednesday after 72 hours and covering more than 1,300 square nautical miles.

There has been no sign of the missing man.

“It is with heavy hearts that we suspend our search efforts for the missing man,” said U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Lt. Cmdr. Nic Iannarone, the search and rescue mission coordinator. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone affected by this tragic loss.”

Command center watchstanders at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received a report at about 12:15 p.m. Sunday from Kaua‘i Fire Department dispatchers saying a snorkeler had gotten separated from his group at about 11:45 a.m. near the back channel of ‘Anini Beach near Princeville on the North Shore.

An air, sea and shoreline search was initiated.

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of a 45-foot response boat-medium crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Kaua‘i and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point on O‘ahu.

An HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and the crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak also joined the search.

Agencies involved in the search included:

• U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.
• U.S. Coast Guard Station Kaua‘i.
• U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point.
• Kaua‘i Fire Department.
• Kaua‘i Police Department.
• Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau.
• Kaua‘i Search and Rescue.
• Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Volunteers from Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, assisted the man’s family as well.