Coast Guard searching Hawaiian waters for Japanese student

Hope he can be found alive.

Is the vessel the Hokuho Maru or the Hakuho Maru?

ReformedBasher Hokuho maru is right.

Thanks.

What kind of training program posts a 17yo on watch at 3am in middle of the Pacific without a lifejacket?

I think so too.

Well, I hope the kid is found alive (and indeed had a life jacket). If he had not jacket you have to seriously question the safety of the training.

What's the water temp?

I hope they find this kid and find those responsible for designing this training program. Those in charge should know better and their actions or inactions led to this tragedy.

If the boy wasn't issued and wasn't checked to make sure he was wearing a life jacket then the Captain of the boat should be held for trial in the event the boy met with a tragedy. It is unbelievable to think a minor was posted early in the morning unsupervised on deck.

I'd like to know what was up with this boy. He is a high school drop out that decided to become a pro fisherman or is there a special school for kids that want to become fishermen/ship crew members? This is out of my area of expertise.

The HAKUHO MARU (I looked it up) is a research vessel. I could be wrong, but these youngsters are likely getting some practical, hands on experience before getting a job ashore and donning lab coats. Not recently, but I sailed for many years as marine engineer and never saw a life jacket. Seems incredible now.

I hope he will be saved by someone.

The HAKUHO MARU (I looked it up) is a research vessel.

The vessel in the story is the Hokuho Maru, which is a training ship.

The research vessel Hakuho Maru was last reported just to te northeast of New Zealand.

It’s not known if he was wearing a life jacket.

Does not imply he was supposed to or not. The fact that this sentence is included makes me wonder what the deal is.

Any other sources?

I had a look at a photo of the vessel yesterday. It's quite large. I'd imagine some areas of duty do not require a life jacket. And in some places, it would be ill-advised to wear one.

So, where was his watch at 3AM? Was he supposed to be on deck and what was he supposed to be doing?