Coast Guard forces have suspended a search some ten days after a vessel with nine people on board went missing in the Hall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
USCG and Sector Guam had received news of the 20-foot skiff on July 31 as it was scheduled to return to Ruo Island, some 625 miles southeast of Guam, on July 30, but did not do so.
After a ten-day search which involved numerous partners and covered 250,000 square nautical miles and more than 31 search patterns, the USCG stopped the search.
“We have made the difficult decision to suspend our active search,” said Lt. Adeeb Ahmad, search and rescue mission coordinator, Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. “Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the missing during this challenging time. We are also extremely grateful to the international and U.S. military partners who worked tirelessly alongside us.”
The Vincent Danz, the USCG’s newest Guam-based cutter, joined the search shortly after arriving at its new home port, according to Stars & Stripes. The service postponed the vessel’s welcoming ceremony so it could take part in the search, per the publication.
The Coast Guard did not announce details about the individuals onboard the vessel.
Other Enforcement Missions
The concluded search follows another recent rescue mission that never materialized.
In July, the Coast Guard suspended a search and rescue mission three days after a boat capsized in San Francisco, leaving one person dead and another three missing.
“Suspending a search is one of the hardest parts of the job and our condolences are with the families of all involved,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Captain Jarod Toczko in a statement at the time.
But the USCG has also seen recent successes.
In July, the Coast Guard rescued a man after he was seen sinking in a catamaran in Hawaii. The man was evaluated by medical staff, which found he had no medical concerns.
The boat sunk with some 30 to 40 gallons of diesel fuel, two batteries, and 3 to 4 gallons of oil aboard.
Posting on X, the service said in July that aircrew from Air Station Port Angeles in Washington assisted the National Park Service in hoisting a 15-year-old boy from Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park after he experienced a medical emergency.
“Strong agency partnerships ensure swift, lifesaving care when it matters most!” the Coast Guard wrote.
“No matter how remote the mission, we stand ready,” they added.
Read the full article here