On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the Coast Guard and the County of Kauaʻi are scheduled to conduct a search and rescue exercise (SAREX) off the southern coast of the island.

A SAREX is an exercise designed to evaluate notification and response procedures and identify shortfalls in communication and coordination of response during SAR incidents between partner agencies. 

The goal of this year’s SAREX is to improve communications, coordination, and response between agencies to increase response capabilities in Hawaiʻi.

Mariners may observe an unmanned adrift overturned blue kayak and/or a rescue dummy with an orange life jacket floating off the southern coast of Kauai. Both objects will have stickers attached explaining that they are involved in the search and rescue exercise and will include contact numbers if mariners need further information.

Mariners are requested to not approach or retrieve either of the objects if sighted on Thursday. 

Assets involved in this year’s SAREX are:

– Coast Guard Sector Honolulu personnel

– Coast Guard Station Kauai

– Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point

– Kauai Fire Department

– Kauai Police Department

– Lihue Airport Fire Department

– Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau

– Kauai Emergency Management Agency

– Civil Air Patrol