Diver Safe, Claims Float Found Adrift Off Maui Last Week

A Coast Guard small boat crew discovered the dive float adrift while conducting routine training in Māʻalaea Bay. US Coast Guard courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

The US Coast Guard says the owner of dive float founding floating adrift in waters off of Maui on Thursday, Aug. 28, was located safe ashore on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014.

Although the Coast Guard launched a search effort for the possible missing diver, the agency issued a followup report saying the individual has since been located, and was never in distress.

The man told authorities that the gear floated away from him and that he saw the equipment on local news media reports, according to a press release issued by the agency this morning.

Coast Guard crews found the dive float and flag adrift in waters off of Māʻalaea while conducting routine training in the Bay on Thursday night.

The Coast Guard conducted a search of the area that included waters around McGregor Point and asked mariners to keep a look out for anyone that could be in distress.

The agency took the opportunity to provide information on its Operation Paddle Smart Program that offers free “If Found” decals that can be placed on small, human-powered watercraft.

The labels include contact information so that authorities can quickly account for owners and prevent any unnecessary searches.

“The stickers can be obtained for free at local harbormasters, through the Coast Guard Auxiliary, from Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron offices and at select marine retail and supply stores,” said Coast Guard representatives in an agency press release.