The search for 65-year-old Charles Rosecranes, who was reported missing after falling off a boat near Pohoiki Bay earlier this week, continues Saturday.
The county rescue crews will continue the search at first light Saturday, HFD officials said. The Hawaii Fire Department has conducted aerial searches extending 1-mile offshore of Kehena Beach to Kapoho Bay. Divers have also searched within and around Pohoiki Bay, but have turned up no sign of the man, who was reported missing early Wednesday.
The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday evening said it was suspended its search for Rosecrane. Crews searched an area covering 754 square miles for approximately 41 hours before suspending search efforts.
Involved in the search were the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, homeported in Hilo, and the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island, homeported in Honolulu. An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point also launched as part of the search. Crews from the Hawaii County Fire Department also searched for the man.
Rosecranes was making engine repairs to the 15-foot boat he and his friend were operating when he reportedly fell overboard, according to the Coast Guard.
Watchstanders at the Sector Honolulu Command Center received notification from the Hawaii County Fire Department Wednesday at approximately 1 a.m. and launched the Dolphin and Hercules aircrews and diverted the Kiska.
The missing fisherman was wearing a blue and white pin-striped shirt, rain coat, pants and rubber boots. Rosecranes is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds
“The suspension of our active search effort is always a difficult decision and is not made lightly,” said Chief Petty Officer Dustin Costa, search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”