by Sabrina Salas Matanane, KUAM NewsWednesday, June 30, 2004 Subscribe to Sabrina's newsfeed
The search for five missing kayakers continued at first light this morning. The five, who are employees of Guam Seawalker Tours, were reported missing at around 3:15 Tuesday afternoon. Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Guam Fire Department and the Guam Police Department are combing the waters in search of the kayakers. According to GFD Spokesperson Phyliss Blas, three kayaks were spotted, but the individuals have yet to be found. Guam Seawalker Tours issued the following press release this afternoon to comment about the incident. "The Staff and management of Seaquest Guam Inc. (dba Guam Seawalker Tours) continue to add their prayers and hopes for the safe recovery of 5 of their friends and fellow employees Ed Uson, Keith Mendiola, Mike Bautista, John Aguon, and Roland Jose. The men were preparing the company's pontoon for return to operations on Wednesday after Tropical Storm Tingting passed by Guam on Monday. They were part of a 9-man clean-up and readiness team that was charged with preparing for resumption of operations planned for today."The press release further stated, "Little is known as to why the men decided to paddle out of the reef in the seas churned up by the tropical storm. Emergency response was requested when one of the four crew members on the pontoon noted that one of the kayaks was caught in the breaking trubulent waves and the occupants could not be seen." Family and friends of the missing kayakers have been sitting on the shoreline of the Fish Eye Marine Park in Asan, watching, hoping and praying for any sign of the missing men. "As family and friends hold vigil and pray for the safe return of their loved ones, our hearts go out to them and join them in hope of a successful rescue. We continue to hope and pray for our lost friends and team members and for their safe return," the release also stated.