HONOLULU – The Coast Guard and partner agencies completed a search and rescue exercise off Kawaihae, Hawaii, Thursday.
The exercise consisted of a multiagency response to the simulation of an overdue boat with five missing people in the water who suffered from a variety of medical conditions off Kawaihae Harbor. Participating agencies launched numerous assets in an attempt to locate multiple search objects at sea.
The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate notification procedures, interagency communication, and coordinated search and rescue efforts between the Coast Guard, state and county agencies and identify any shortfalls during response to search and rescue incidents.
“We are pleased to learn of the successful completion of the partner agency search and rescue exercise off Kawaihae led by Coast Guard District 14,” said Mayor Mitch Roth, Hawai’i County. “Ensuring ocean safety is essential for the well-being of our residents and visitors alike. By preparing and practicing real-life scenarios, we can help ensure a safer community for everyone.”
Participants in the exercise included Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, the Hawai’i Fire Department, Hawaii Ocean Safety and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
“After notification, all agencies responded quickly and appropriately based on the report of the overdue boat," said Lt. Zachary Kayser, deputy command center chief, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. "All search objects were located and recovered quickly by the responding agencies, which is a testament to the professionalism and teamwork of all participants.”
Assets involved were:
- An MH-65 helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point
- A Hawai’i Fire Department Chopper 1 helicopter crew and rescue boat crew
- An Ocean Safety rescue watercraft crew
- A DLNR response boat crew
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