'Ghost boat' sails itself into California after fisherman owner vanished without trace
Joel Kawahara, 70, was last heard from around 7.30am PT on August 8 after he departed alone on his fishing boat, the Karolee, off the coast between Washington and Oregon.
The vessel was tracked on its automatic identification system traveling south at a steady speed for several days, according to the US Coast Guard.
Coast Guard watchstanders and other local boaters made several attempts to contact the Karolee, but no communication was ever received.
On the morning of August 12, a Coast Guard C-27 fixed-wing aircrew from Air Station Sacramento spotted the vessel and attempted to make contact, but nothing was heard.
The aircrew described the boat as 'rigged for fishing, lights were energized, and a life raft was observed in its cradle.'
They flew over the Karolee's previous course but did not find any signs of distress, so they went back to Sacramento.
Later that day, members of the Coast Guard continued their search by water and air, but did not locate Kawahara.
'After it had traveled nearly 400 miles... we had no idea where this person might be,' US Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Strohmaier told SFGATE.
On Wednesday, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion intercepted the vessel and found no one onboard, noting that all of the ship's safety equipment was still there.
Storhmaier said he was 'not aware of' any that appeared strange or missing, and the Coast Guard decided to call off their search.
'The case is unique because of how many miles the vessel transited,' Strohmaier said.
'It's just really tragic and really tough that we weren't able to find anybody in the water.'
Kawahara's boat was towed to Eureka, California, where it was transferred to a Station Humboldt Bay boat crew.
'Suspending a search for someone is the toughest decision we make in the Coast Guard,' said Cmdr. Chelsey Stroud, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard's Northwest District.
'Our crews diligently search hundreds of miles. We are grateful for the numerous Coast Guard crews along the West Coast who assisted in this search. We send our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the missing man.'
Kawahara's friend Heather Burns told the California newspaper that she reported him missing to the Coast Guard.
'He was so important to me, so huge in my life. He was more like family than friend to me,' Burns said.
'One thing I can say is that it is an uncomplicated grief… it's very comforting that I have no regrets save one, that I never went out on the water with him.'
Kawahara's long-time friend, Kellie Henwood, told KRCR the news has been devastating to their fishing community.
'When we first heard that they didn't find anyone aboard his vessel, the Karolee, it was absolutely shattering and really devastating because we were hoping that he was onboard in some way, shape, or form,' she said.
Tributes for Kawahara have been pouring in online from the Pacific Northwest fishing community.
'Joel was a valued member of the broader West Coast fishing community and a tireless advocate for fishermen,' the Oregon Albacore Commission said.
''Joel was known for his kindness, generosity, and the way he touched everyone he met. He was deeply respected among salmon fishermen and also shared time on the albacore grounds. His passing is felt deeply by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
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