Hyoung Park returned to Bermuda safely last night and was greeted by his family, following a dramatic multi-agency rescue operation after he went missing on a kayak for more than 24 hours.
The 57-year-old South Korea national was located alive by a United States Coast Guard [USCG] aircraft Wednesday afternoon, drifting approximately 25 miles south of the island.
The successful rescue concluded an extensive air and sea search involving Bermudian and American authorities, which began on Tuesday after Mr. Park was reported missing.
Mr. Park, a guest at The Reefs Hotel, was last seen around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, leaving the hotel’s beach on a kayak.
The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] and Royal Bermuda Regiment [RBR] personnel conducted extensive searches along the shoreline, while an RBR-Coastguard marine unit searched the water.
BMOC issued urgent Pan Pan marine broadcasts and coordinated with RCC Norfolk for air support. A USCG C-130 aircraft from North Carolina searched 270 square miles Tuesday night. The search resumed at first light on Wednesday with BPS and RBR units, a Marine and Ports pilot boat, and a Fisheries patrol vessel.
The Bermuda-registered Liquid Natural Gas carrier Aktoras, which had completed a crew transfer, also joined the search effort.
At 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, a second USCG C-130 aircraft commenced its search, ultimately spotting Mr. Park at approximately 1:45 p.m. The aircraft orbited his position while BMOC diverted the Aktoras to the location. Mr. Park was recovered from the water and brought safely aboard the tanker, which then returned to Bermuda.
A police spokesperson confirmed Mr. Park had been located.
The Reefs Hotel issued a statement expressing its relief. “We are grateful and relieved that our guest, Mr. Park, has been found safe following the extensive search carried out by the Bermuda Police Service, the Royal Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Coast Guard, and the US Coast Guard.”
The hotel extended its “sincere thanks to the first responders for their tireless efforts, professionalism, and care.”
