HONOLULU — Coast Guard and Big Island Fire Department crews are searching for a missing boater near Lapakahi State Park, Big Island, in a case that began late Saturday.
Missing is 26-year-old Charles Locklar. Locklar was last seen swimming toward shore with his uncle after their 10-foot skiff reportedly capsized due to high winds approximately a half mile offshore.
At 9:50 p.m., an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point launched to conduct a search of the area and the crew of the USCGC Kittiwake (WPB-87316) operating off Maui was diverted. Air assets and ground crews from the Big Island Fire Department are also assisting in the search.
An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast has been issued alerting mariners in the area to keep a sharp lookout and report any sightings to the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center.
At 7:45 p.m., Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a call from Big Island Fire Department personnel stating they received notification of the vessel capsizing in high winds with two people aboard and both men had reportedly swum for shore. One of the pair made it to shore, but called 911 when he could not find the other, his nephew.
Anyone with information that may help locate Locklar is asked to contact the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600.
Weather conditions are currently reported as east winds of 21 mph gusting to 31 mph. Waves are at a foot with a west-southwest swell.
The Kittiwake crew was previously engaged in another case off Maui. The USCGC Galveston Island (WPB-1349) has relieved the Kittiwake in the continuing search for missing free diver Josh Goodwin that began Friday. Responders from multiple agencies worked on that search throughout the day. The Galveston Island crew is continuing that search throughout the night and will be joined by additional crews at first light. Both Kittiwake and Galveston Island are homeported out of Honolulu.