Search for Kona boater continues in Maui waters

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Coast Guard last night continued to search for a 74-year-old Kona man after his 41-foot sailboat was found yesterday breaking apart on rocks on the south coast of Maui.

William Norcross, of Kailua on the Big Island, has not been heard from since Sunday morning when his Na Hoku O Kalani sailboat was moored in Kona. By that afternoon, the vessel was gone, said Petty Officer Brooksann Anderson, Coast Guard spokeswoman.

At about 2 a.m. yesterday, the Coast Guard responded to an emergency position indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB, and launched an HH-65 helicopter. About two hours later, the sailboat was found on rocks at Kiakeana Point south of Maui.

A rescue diver was lowered to the boat and there were indications that someone had been on the vessel, Anderson said.

"When the rescue swimmer was on scene with the vessel, he did notice that the emergency beacon was manually turned on. So at some point someone was on that boat," Anderson said. "That, combined with the missing life jacket, led us to believe that there is someone missing."

The Maui Fire Department joined the Coast Guard in the search for Norcross yesterday. Anderson said Norcross' son flew to Maui to help in the search.

"We're hoping that he's not in any danger and he'll call in and say he's fine," Anderson said.

This is the third time in two weeks that the Coast Guard has come to the aid of Norcross and his sailboat.

On June 15, Norcross became disoriented outside Ma'alaea Harbor and was assisted to the harbor, Anderson said. A day later, the sailboat broke free from its mooring and the Coast Guard was called to recover the vessel and bring it back to the harbor.

At the time, the Coast Guard inspected the vessel and found three life vests on board. Yesterday, two were on the boat, Anderson said.

She said she didn't know how much sailing experience Norcross has, but said the Coast Guard does not recommend sailing alone.

"There's always a danger factor," Anderson said. "In this instance, we don't know his level of capability and I can't speculate on it."

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com