The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing fisherman off the Pacific Northwest coast after crews recovered his empty boat earlier this month.
Officials ended the search around 1:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, August 13, after more than 18 hours of operations that covered 2,100 square miles, according to a news release.
“Suspending a search for someone is the toughest decision we make in the Coast Guard,” Cmdr. Chelsey Stroud, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Northwest District, said in a statement.
“Our crews diligently search hundreds of miles. We are grateful for the numerous Coast Guard teams along the West Coast who assisted in this search,” Stroud added. “We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the missing man.”
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On social media, the Oregon Albacore Commission identified the fisherman as 70-year-old Joel Kawahara of Quilcene, Washington.
“Joel was a valued member of the broader West Coast fishing community and a tireless advocate for fishermen,” a spokesperson wrote. “He was known for his kindness, generosity, and the way he touched everyone he met. Joel was deeply respected among salmon fishermen and also shared time on the albacore grounds. His loss is felt profoundly by all who knew him.”
The Coast Guard said Kawahara had departed alone on his fishing vessel, the Karolee, a week earlier and was last heard from around 7:30 a.m. on Friday, August 8. Tracking data showed the boat moving south at about four knots for several days.
“Coast Guard watchstanders made numerous callouts to the Karolee and asked mariners in the area to do the same,” the agency said. “No communication was ever received.”
On Tuesday, August 12, a Coast Guard aircrew from Air Station Sacramento attempted contact but received no response. The crew observed that the boat was outfitted for fishing, with lights on and a life raft in its cradle, but found no immediate signs of distress before returning to base.
Additional resources were deployed to retrace the vessel’s route along the Washington and Oregon coastline in search of any signs of trouble.
The next morning, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion intercepted the Karolee around 10 a.m. They boarded and found no one onboard, though all safety equipment remained intact. With no reports of distress or responses to calls, officials made the decision to suspend the search.
The Sea Lion later towed the vessel to Eureka, California, where it was moored on Thursday, August 14.
“Joel left this world doing what he loved — fishing — and his spirit will continue to inspire those of us who work on the water,” the Oregon Albacore Commission said. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many who called him a friend.”
