But a day after extending the 72-hour standard search, rescuers terminated their operation at 6 p.m. last night, without finding the body of Matsumoto, 31.
His parents, Fumihiko and Fujie Matsumoto, who arrived here on Tuesday morning, thanked the CNMI government for the extension it granted as well as the different agencies and people involved in the search.
“We are still soliciting all possible help to find him, like from divers and fishermen, especially during their free time,” Hirofumi Matsumoto’s wife Ami told the Variety.
Like her husband, she is also a Hyatt employee.
The Matsumotos were at the Sugar Dock’s command post yesterday to receive updates from authorities.
The Matsumotos later lighted a candle and offered prayers at a shrine in the area.
Trying to control her tears, Ami Matsumoto said she found a small hermit crab while walking on the beach.
“I’m going to keep and take care of him,” she said, adding that the hermit crab was washed ashore.
She has been married to her husband for one year and nine months.
“We’re very supportive of the family in this very difficult time,” Hyatt director of finance Yoshio Gabaldon told the Variety.
Gabaldon, together with other Hyatt officials who were at the command post yesterday, thanked all those involved in the search of their missing colleague.
“Our goal for today’s final mission is to strive hard to locate the victim,” said Emergency Management Office deputy director Mark Pangelinan yesterday afternoon.
Department of Public Safety Boating Section officer-in-charge Sgt. Bernard Santos said divers and floating assets from the Northern Marianas Diving Operators Association joined the search.
A total of eight volunteers also provided assistance, DPS acting spokesman PO2 Jason Tarkong said.
Also joining the search were DPS and Coastal Resources Management Office’s divers and boats as well as the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Washington.
DPS Fire and Rescue Unit, for their part, conducted surface searches.
Matsumoto’s surfboard was found on Tuesday morning on the shoreline across from the $3 Store on Beach Road in Chalan Laulau.
