HONOLULU — The Coast Guard suspended the search Monday for a missing fisherman off the Big Island.
The 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, homeported in Hilo, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and an HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and a boat crew, helicopter crew and dive crew from the Hawaii County Fire Department searched for the man.
More than 959 square miles were searched.
The 56-year-old male was fishing from a 10-foot cliff near MacKenzie State Recreation Area Friday evening when reporting sources say he was swept out to sea after either slipping or being washed off by a wave.
Watchstanders at the Sector Honolulu Command Center received notification from the Hawaii County Fire Department Friday at 9:40 p.m., launched the Dolphin and Hercules aircrew and diverted the Kiska.
The missing fisherman was wearing black rain gear.
"The suspension of our active search effort is always a difficult decision and is not made lightly," said Cmdr. Arex Avanni, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and loved ones."
For more information, contact the Sector Honolulu Command Center at (808) 842-2600.