Date: Oct. 2, 2008
Contact: Public Affairs
(808) 535-3230

UPDATE: Coast Guard Cutter Kiska crew rescues missing jet skier

HONOLULU -- A Coast Guard patrol boat crew rescued a missing jet skier approximately four nautical miles south of Koko Head Thursday at about 10:20 p.m.

Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, a 110-foot patrol boat homeported in Hilo, located the jet skier, Gerald Lum, after they noticed a faint light emitting from Lum's flashlight.

The Kiska crew is transporting Lum to Integrated Support Command, Honolulu. Lum is reported to be in good condition.

Lum's jet ski is mostly submerged in the water. The Kiska's crew marked the jet ski with a strobe light, and the Coast Guard has issued a notice to mariners alerting them of the jet ski's location.

Lum departed Kaiona Beach in Waimanalo at 2 p.m. Thursday on a purple, five-person jet ski en route to Hale O Lono Harbor, which is on the southwest coast of Molokai. He was reported overdue at 7 p.m.

For more information, please contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Angela Henderson at 808-341-9849.

One of the most basic responsibilities of the U.S. government is to protect the lives and safety of Americans. In the maritime realm, the lead responsibility falls to the Coast Guard. In partnership with other federal agencies, state and local governments, marine industries, and individual mariners, we preserve safety at sea through a focused program of prevention, response, and investigation.

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