The search has been suspended for a Jet Ski rider who mysteriously disappeared off the North Shore. The decision brings to a close a days-long search by land, sea and air.
As Island News reports, 56-year-old Anthony Empting departed from Haleiwa Harbor on Saturday, May 23. Later that day, a vessel spotted his personal watercraft drifting offshore near Mokuleia. Responders found the keys in the ignition and Empting’s personal belongings still onboard.
The discovery promptly kicked off a massive search that involved the U.S. Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Ocean Safety Department. The agencies used helicopters, boats, rescue watercraft and dive teams to scour the coast. A search area was narrowed down using current modeling, wind patterns, trade swell conditions and reports from family and friends.
“Over the past three and a half days, we’ve been conducting searches that range over 300 nautical miles,” said Honolulu Ocean Safety Lieutenant Jesse King. “We’ve put a lot of emphasis on anything ranging from Kaʻena to Waimea and putting a special interest in areas where he used to frequent.”
However, the search was complicated by adverse weather conditions. Rough seas, strong winds and reduced underwater visibility hindered search efforts. In the end, despite the breadth of the search, efforts to locate Empting were not sucessful.
“It’s a very difficult decision to make to suspend a search,” said U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Tyler Peterson. “Even though it’s suspended, it’s still going to be open. If anything is found, then we will definitely look into that.”
