Posted on: Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Nothing found following report of suspicious diver

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

An extensive search of Honolulu Harbor yesterday, prompted by the sighting of a suspicious diver, failed to turn up any unusual activity, the Coast Guard said.

Officials launched the search shortly after midnight yesterday when a Coast Guard watchstander saw what appeared to be a diver surfacing near a 47-foot lifeboat near the Coast Guard's Sand Island facility, officials said.

Concerned about a possible security breach, the Coast Guard started the search, calling in personnel from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Sheriff's Department, Honolulu Police Department and a Joint Terrorism Task Force.

"We conducted an exhaustive search at the first indication that there was something out of the ordinary," said Rear Adm. Charles Wurster, commander of the 14th Coast Guard District.

The search, conducted by an Army dive team from Schofield Army Barracks and divers from the Navy Explosive Ordnance disposal unit from Pearl Harbor, searched the whole harbor area and surrounding area.

The Coast Guard asks people to report suspicious activity to the local Sector Command at 541-2450 or call 911.