A Fisherman is Missing after Going Overboard while Hooking a Large Ahi Tuna in Hawaii
Hawaii Police Department/Facebook
The remains of a missing man, aged 63, is believed to have fallen off his boat while he was catching large tuna fish from the shores of Hawaii.
Fisherman Mark Knittle was last seen on Sunday morning while in a boat off Hōnaunau, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Knittle, of Captain Cook, Hawaii, was with a friend when he hooked an ahi tuna about four miles outside of the Hōnaunau Boat Ramp. After he had the tuna on his line, Knittle’s friend heard him say, “the fish is huge,” before going overboard.
According to police, “The friend tried to grab it but was unsuccessful.” “Knittle was visible on the surface but disappeared in a matter of seconds. Knittle disappeared in seconds. A friend tried to jump in for Knittle, but could not find him.
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The Coast Guard and Hawaii Fire Department were on the scene and began a 72-hour search.
Knittle was not found as of Wednesday
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“Usually, our incidents like these are along the coasts,” Darwin Okinaka (Hawai County Fire Department assistant chief) stated. CBS News. “This is a totally different situation. It’s out in deep.”
Okinaka said, “If there is a fish that’s pulling him around, then you don’t know where else he could be.”
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Ahi tuna can reach six feet in length, and can weigh up to 400 pounds. NOAA Fisheries.
Knittle, who is described as 5’10” tall and 185 lbs., has a mustache, beard, and is 185 lbs.