U.S Coast Guard searching for overdue Canadian mariner

US COAST GUARD NOTICE

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a Canadian sailor seen leaving Hilo, Hawaii, Aug. 1 by a fellow mariner.

Paul Lim of Saltspring Island, B.C., reportedly left Hilo bound for Victoria, B.C., aboard the 35-foot Sailing Vessel Watercolour, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release. They estimate Lim should’ve arrived in Victoria by approximately Sept. 10 or 11.

More details from the U.S. Coast Guard:

A U.S. Coast Guard C-130 from Air Station Barbers Point in Honolulu conducted a search in an area between Hilo and Victoria Thursday. The Coast Guard aircrew was contacted by a fishing vessel during the search that last communicated with Mr. Lim in early August approximately 300-miles north of Hawaii.

U.S. Coast Guardsmen at Rescue Coordination Center Alameda began broadcasting to mariners along Mr. Lim’s possible route to be on the lookout for his vessel Sept 21. They have queried dozens of commercial vessels along his route and are broadcasting to all mariners along the Pacific coast including Alaska and Hawaii.


The Canadian Coast Guard is assisting by maintaining contact with Mr. Lim’s family and is acting as a conduit for information in the search. Mr. Lim was reported overdue by his loved ones to the Canadian Coast Guard.

The Watercolour is a 35-foot white hull Spencer vessel with white sails and a blue canvas dodger. Mr. Lim was also towing a nine-foot pink dingy behind the Watercolour.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Lim or the Sailing Vessel Watercolour is asked to call the U.S. Coast Guard at 510-437-3701.