The U.S. Coast Guard continued its search Saturday in 35 mph winds and 8- to 15-foot seas, seeking a missing boater who placed a mayday call Thursday saying his vessel was taking on water and in danger of sinking 46
The U.S. Coast Guard continued its search Saturday in 35 mph winds and 8- to 15-foot seas, seeking a missing boater who placed a mayday call Thursday saying his vessel was taking on water and in danger of sinking 46 miles west of Kailua-Kona.
A HC-130 airplane crew and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point were scheduled to be joined today in the search by a Navy P-3 Orion airplane.
Search crews have already scoured more than 5,200 square miles. Comparatively the total square mileage of the Hawaiian Islands is 6,418.
The Coast Guard has identified the mariner as 67-year-old Ron Ingrahm, who is believed to be the sole person aboard the 25-foot sailing vessel Malia. The sailboat departed Kaunakakai Harbor, Molokai, bound for Manele Bay, Lanai.
A friend of Ingrahm called the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center Friday and said Tuesday was the last time he spoke with Ingrahm.
The Coast Guard received a mayday call over VHF radio channel 16 from a distressed mariner at 8:03 a.m. Thursday. The mariner reported flooding on his boat and provided a GPS position approximately 46 miles west of Kailua-Kona near Alenuihaha Channel before communications were lost.
