UPDATE: Fisherman Search Continues For Fourth Day Today
***Updated on Jan. 17.***
A search for a 67-year-old fisherman who fell into the ocean late Sunday from a cliff near South Point will continue today, Thursday, fire department officials said Wednesday night.
Officials say ocean searches are typically halted after three days, but this search was authorized Wednesday for a fourth day.
The missing man has been identified by police as Roland Gacayan Sr. of Pahala.
The Hawaii Fire Department has been searching for Gacayan using its Chopper 1, a rescue boat with divers and ground crews to continue the search.
Battalion Chief Warren Sumida said Wednesday the parameters of the water search would be dictated by ocean conditions.
“The search area will depend on the current and wind directions,” he said.
Rescuers called to the scene at 10:46 p.m. Sunday were told that Gacayan had fallen off a 20-foot cliff. Other fishermen lost sight of him when he was about 50 yards offshore.
The area known as Ka Lae is marked by high cliffs and strong currents.