U.S. Coast Guard photos courtesy Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. U.S. Coast Guard graphics courtesy Coast Guard Command Center Honolulu.
HONOLULU — As the search for 12 Marine aviators off the North Shore of Oahu enters its second day the Coast Guard and partner agencies have expanded the search along the North Shore from Waianae to Kahuku, extending out to sea eight miles.
“We’d like to reiterate to the public to use caution along the north and west shores of Oahu as the search continues. Debris should be treated as hazardous material,” said Lt. Scott Carr, Coast Guard 14th District public affairs officer. “Anyone sighting debris is asked to report it to the Marines at 808-257-8458 or 808-257-3023.”
As of 8 a.m. Saturday morning responders have conducted 22 individual searches covering more than 5,000 sq. nautical miles (5,750 sq. miles). Responders continued the search throughout the night and on scene today are:
Aircraft: Surface assets: Shoreline: -MH-65 Dolphin helicopter-Navy P-3 Orion-Navy H-60 helicopter-Army H-60 helicopter-Honolulu Fire Department helicopter-Honolulu Police Department helicopter -(2) Navy warships-Coast Guard Cutters Ahi and Kiska-(2) Ocean Safety jet ski teams-(7) 10-person shoreline search teams -Incident Command Post team Honolulu-Incident Command Post team Haleiwa-MSST Honolulu personnel in Haleiwa Harbor alerting mariners to safety zone and public safety concerns
Coast Guard watchstanders in Honolulu received notification of two possible downed military helicopters each reportedly with six personnel aboard late Thursday evening prompting the joint search effort.
Weather conditions are reportedly 8 to 12 mph winds, 13 foot swells with surf up to 20-feet and scattered showers. A high surf advisory for Oahu’s North Shore remains in effect through Saturday evening. A small craft advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service and is in effect for all of the Main Hawaiian Islands through Sunday morning.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Marine Corps.
For questions specific to the Marine Corps please contact the III Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs officer at 808-216-7183.