Search by air, sea for 12 missing Marines enters 3rd day - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

The search for 12 Marines who were on board two helicopters that collided off Oahu's North Shore entered its third day Sunday, with rescuers continuing to battle high surf across a widening search area in hopes of finding survivors.

On Saturday, the Coast Guard said it had found debris from the two Marine Corps helicopters from Waianae to Kahuku.

"The debris that's been located is consistent with the aircraft of this type," said Coast Guard Lt. Scott Carr. "I know a lot of people are focused on the debris, but we're really focused on hopefully finding survivors."

Multiple agencies continue to participate in the search effort by air and by sea, including the Coast Guard, Marines, Ocean Safety and Honolulu Fire Department. Some 30 Marines also spent Saturday walking the shoreline along the North Shore to look for debris.

Meanwhile, the Marines on Saturday also released the names of the 12 service members who were on board the two helicopters. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Marines and their families as we continue search and rescue efforts," the Marine Corps said, in a statement.

The two choppers collided late Saturday off Haleiwa, setting off a massive ocean search and rescue effort during one of the biggest swells of the winter season. Low visibility has also hampered search efforts. 

"This is probably one of the most difficult search missions I've seen," Carr told reporters Friday.

He added, "Our men and women train for this. Our goal is to find survivors."

Both of the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters had six Marines aboard when they crashed off Haleiwa about 10:40 p.m. Authorities said they did not get a distress call from either helicopter.

Witnesses said the collision produced a fireball that lit up the night sky.

"It was like daytime," said Chase Tantog, 21, who was fishing at Chun's Reef when he saw what he thought was a meteor falling from the sky.

"It was just a big fireball coming down," he said. "There was debris, too, on the side, like coming off. Once it hit the water, it just blacked out and then you hear the thunder roar after. It was really loud."

Debris field widespread

Rescuers have encountered debris believed to be from the helicopters across a widening swatch of ocean, stretching from Waianae to Kahuku and eight miles offshore. They've asked people to call the Coast Guard at 535-3372 if they find any debris.

Early on in the search, crews discovered a life raft, but no one was on board and there were no visible flames in the water.

Carr said rough seas are scattering and churning debris. Surf on Oahu’s North Shore remains at warning levels.

"The weather is making it very difficult," Carr said on Friday. "Debris is moving things all over the place. It's very difficult to find things right now."

Routine training mission

The Marines on board the two helicopters were conducting a routine night training mission that started from Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe and was expected to conclude there, said Marine Corps Capt. Timothy Irish.

They were flying in low-light conditions and using night vision goggles. 

Irish said there are normally four people on such training missions, but these missions had two additional training instructors on board each.

Following witness reports of a crash Thursday night, the Coast Guard dispatched a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and a HC-130 aircraft, both of which arrived on scene shortly after midnight. Two Coast Guard Cutters – the 87-foot Ahi from Maui and the 110-foot Kiska from the Big Island – were also dispatched.

Irish said the Marines have reached out to all of the family members of those on board the helicopters, and are also offering counseling to the larger Marine community in the islands.

"There are a lot of Marine Corps families affected right now and they've got a lot of concerns for their loved ones," he said. "I cannot imagine the feelings those families are going through right now."

Search continues

With each day, the search area grows. On Friday, crews were focusing their efforts on the North Shore alone; they've now extended the search to the waters off Waianae.

“Anytime you are dealing with a debris field … that’s pretty normal that it will move,” Carr said. “As you go over time in any search and rescue, the area typically starts to get bigger."

The Honolulu Fire Department -- with help from federal firefighters -- and the U.S. Navy are also assisting in the search. Lifeguards also pitched in, searching within a mile of shore for debris.

A Kaneohe-based HSM-37 Navy attacker helicopter was dispatched along with two Navy destroyers -- the USS John Paul Jones and USS Gridley.

Witnesses recount collision

Residents up and down the North Shore saw -- or heard -- the collision Thursday night.

Don Williams said the collision produced "two big booms."

"It shook the house," he said. "I couldn't figure out what it was."

Tantog, who was fishing at Chun's Reef, said the fireball in the night sky was so big "I thought the world was going to end."

One woman said she was at Haleiwa Harbor on Thursday night when she saw what she thought was a flare.

"I didn't see it shoot up, I saw when something was coming down."

Mobile users, click here to see more images of the search.

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