HONOLULU – The Coast Guard and agency partners continue their search for a man in the water offshore Hawaii Tuesday.
Missing is Jared Willeford, 42, who was last seen launching a yellow kayak from the Keauhou boat ramp at 8:15 a.m. Sunday and paddling offshore.
Security cameras at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa spotted the yellow kayak unmanned and drifting south at 9:04 a.m. Sunday with orange bib pants visible on board. Contrary to earlier reports, Willeford is not currently wearing the orange bib pants.
Coast Guard teams have searched for a combined 20.5 hours and covered approximately 1,050 square miles Tuesday. Current on-scene weather conditions consist of 10 mph winds, 1 to 2-foot seas and 1 mile of visibility due to rain.
Crews have searched for a total of over 40 hours, covering approximately 3,550 square miles since Sunday.
Search efforts began after Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received a report at 10:09 a.m. Sunday from Hawaii County Fire Department dispatchers regarding an unmanned yellow kayak 400 yards offshore Keauhou, Hawaii. Weather conditions Sunday morning consisted of 11 mph winds and 1-foot seas.
Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to aid in the search. The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124) also joined the search Monday.
Involved in the search are:
Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.
For more information follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
-USCG-