The search continues Monday for 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, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The search continues Monday for 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, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Crews aboard a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion and a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 dolphin helicopter were scouring the waters off the Big Island for Ron Ingraham, 67, and his vessel, Malia, on Monday. Since Thursday morning, the crews have searched 9,206 square miles. Comparatively the total square mileage of the Hawaiian Islands is 6,418.
Ingraham is believed to be the sole person aboard the 25-foot sailing vessel Malia, which departed Kaunakakai Harbor, Molokai, to Manele Bay, Lanai. A friend of Ingraham called Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center Friday and said Tuesday was the last time he spoke with him.
Watchstanders at Sector Honolulu Command Center received a mayday call over VHF radio Ch. 16 at 8:03 a.m. Thursday from a mariner who stated his coordinates were 19 degrees, 58 minutes, 283 seconds north; 156 degrees, 46 minutes, 224 seconds west. That placed him about 46 miles west of Kailua-Kona.
“This is a mayday, mayday, mayday. I’m in the middle of Alenui(haha) Channel, uh, small boat in danger of sinking,” he said. “Anybody picks this up give me a relay. This is a mayday, mayday.”
Anyone who may have any further information about the vessel is asked to contact the U.S. Coast Guard at (808) 842-2600.
A small craft advisory remains in effect for the area, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu. The service forecast rough seas up to 14 feet and 30 mph northeast winds. Smaller vessels are advised to avoid navigating in the hazardous conditions. The advisory remains posted until 6 a.m. Tuesday.