Unmanned Dinghy Located Adrift off Maui

The Coast Guard is seeking the public’s assistance after receiving a report of an unmanned adrift black and grey inflatable dinghy offshore approximately two and a half miles west of Kāʻanapali, Maui, March 10, 2014.  Photo courtesy US Coast Guard.

By Maui Now Staff

The Coast Guard is seeking public help in identifying the owner of an inflatable dinghy found unmanned and floating adrift about two and a half miles west of Kāʻanapali, Maui this morning.

The incident was reported at 7:45 a.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014.

The dinghy is described as black and grey, 10-feet long, with a six-horsepower outboard engine, and no markings on the vessel, the US Coast Guard reports.

According to the agency, crews aboard the Molokaʻi Princess ferry reported the incident and took the dinghy in tow to Kaunakakai Harbor.

The US Coast guard reports that no one has been reported missing or in distress in the area, and that the dinghy appeared to have broken free from another vessel.

The Coast Guard took the opportunity to remind the public to register and label all watercraft and equipment with contact information.

The Coast Guard offers “If Found” decals free of charge that enable them and other responding agencies to quickly account for owners and prevent an unnecessary search.

Anyone with information that can help in identifying the owner of the dinghy is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at (808) 842-2600.