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Press Release | May 26, 2026

Coast Guard suspends search for man in water off Oahu

Coast Guard Oceania District External Affairs - (808) 265-7748

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard suspended its search at 5 p.m. Tuesday for a man in the water off the North Shore of Oahu.    

Missing is a 56-year-old man who was last seen who was last seen departing Haleiwa Harbor aboard a personal watercraft Saturday morning. 

In total, Coast Guard crews searched approximately 400 square miles for over 80 combined hours.  

“Suspending search efforts is one of the most difficult operational decisions we make,” said Lt. Tyler Peterson, search and rescue mission coordinator, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “We thank our partner agencies who joined the search and offer our sincerest condolences to the individual’s loved ones.” 

Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received a report at 10:50 a.m. Saturday from Honolulu Ocean Safety Department personnel of an unmanned and adrift black jet ski approximately 1 mile offshore Dillingham Airfield.  

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast, coordinated the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and diverted the crew of fast response cutter USCGC Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126). 

Involved in the search:      

  • Coast Guard Sector Honolulu   
  • Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point    
  • Coast Guard Station Honolulu 
  • USCGC Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126)    
  • Honolulu Fire Department   
  • Honolulu Ocean Safety Department   

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-USCG-