US Coast Guard Looking for Missing Sailboat, the 55-ft Sloop ‘Ishi’
Latitude 38 received a request from the US Coast Guard in Hawaii in search of a boat in the Pacific. The information below is provided by Search and Rescue Duty Officer Michael Cobb.
“The Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu is attempting to locate the 55FT S/V Ishi (HA-5665-G), possibly with four people on board, currently unreported in the Pacific. The background information we have is that on 03 October 2022 the S/V departed the Ala Wai on Oahu possibly to sail to Maui then to the Pacific Northwest. We have conducted extensive checks in the Main Hawaiian Islands and have not located the vessel. They departed with four people on board, the master Donald Lang, one adult Female and her two children.”
“In interviewing the previous owner, she believes Donald would head to the Pacific Northwest, since he is from Canada and had owned a shop/sailboat repair company in Coeur d’Alene, ID. The possibility that he would sail to the NW Hawaiian Islands, Tahiti, Fiji, the Philippines, Panama, Pacific Northwest (USA), and Canada was also discussed.
“We have reached out to the adjacent RCCs to find out if they have any reports of the vessel; we are waiting to hear back from them. Knowing the reach and scope of Latitude 38, it felt prudent to check with you for any information you might be able to assist with locating the S/V Ishi and Donald.”
Anyone with information on the sailing vessel Ishi should contact the JRCC Honolulu at [email protected] or (808) 535-3333.
Keep in mind though that the weather has not been all that great out there and it’s a long time since October and I hope they are all safe and somehow just did not make contact when they arrived for whatever reason and if they had a sailplane why would they not have left it with someone who knew what their plan was and that seems a bit odd.
Praying for them, but that boat is not something I would put up against the Pacific or any other ocean. I don’t even know exactly what an atmospheric river is. But WOW. Oct like seven months?¹
The sailboat looks sailed to me, not just a dock condo. Wishing them all the best.
Most of these comments are not helpful at all!
Thank you Gloria and others who have expressed concern for the sailors. As a moderated comment section, we do attempt to keep the conversation civil and constructive. We approved some less-than-helpful comments that were irrelevant to helping the Coast Guard and concerned friends find the missing sailors. We now wish we hadn’t approved them and have since deleted them, leaving the comments of those who helped correct our course and who expressed concern for the boat and it’s crew. We hope to hear that all is well.
Looks like that it was taking on water it’s keeling to the starboard at the time of pics hope all the best for them
I had the same thoughts while looking at the picture.
It does look like it’s keeling starboard. Hopefully it’s a weight distribution thing and not taking on water.
Excellent observation.
Just Pray… Mother Nature is a Mother… be Safe…
What make of ship is “Sloop Ishi”?
Google Earth photos are able to see a vehicle that size. If enough people would view suggested areas maybe their route could be established.
Probably landsat satellites or Millitary and other if there is minimal cloud cover, Google Earth does not update on a frequent basis.
Might want to check in region of java,earthquake took place in Nov.2022.
Prayers that they are found safe.
That boat is quite capable of handling heavy weather. Sailed through many storms in much smaller sail boats.
Have been watching many sailing videos, SV Delos, Ran Sailing, Sailing Nandji… yes, SV Ishi is quite capable of sailing in inclimate weather.
I sincerely hope they are okay. 💜🙏🙏🙏🙏💜
Looks like it needed a bottom job and doesn’t look in good shape. The whole boat looks to be in bad shape. A lot of clutter and some shady looking repairs. I sincerely hope they are ok. But, it’s been a long time on a boat I wouldn’t take into the open Gulf of Mexico much less the Pacific Ocean. My hopes and prayers with the families.
Thinking based on my last comment. Could it be possible due to the shape the boat is in (not good) that they stopped somewhere for repairs? Could be limited on funds to complete repairs and stuck somewhere without any knowledge that people are looking for them.
That boat is I’ll prepared. Look at the barnacles on the hull. Poor maintenance along with the acquired junk on the boat make a real big safety issue. Sailing among the local islands is about all this boat should be doing. Major ocean crossings will consume that vessel for sure.
If he’s from the NW he knows he can’t just cruise back here in winter on luck alone. More likely they went SW from Maui
Heart & prayers out to crew ……….it’s a big ass ocean. Took us 16 days SD to Pearl Harbor.
Just finished a crossing in heavy weather. The boat is almost always better than the crew. Never stop sailing folks. Praying for these folks to be found. Also would like to know the manufacture of this vessel.
You can’t make a judgement just on the photos that don’t even show a date! Pray they are found safe!
Supposedly, as some others pointed out on the fb comments, it was listing starboard due to the supplies, and Don was known to pack heavy. Hope they’re ok.