(BIVN) – The search for a missing fisherman along the coast of Ka’u has been suspended.

The U.S. Coast Guard called off the active search of the waters near Ka’alu’alu Bay on Friday. 48-year-old Shane Romena of Ocean View remains missing.

“Our sincerest condolences go out to Romena’s family and friends during this difficult time,” said Senior Chief Brian Wear, a command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Suspending a case is never an easy thing to do and it’s something that is handled with the utmost care and consideration. We want to thank our partners at the Hawai’i Fire Department for all their assistance during this search.”

Hawaii County Police say Romena was fishing in the area with his grandson. “While trying to fill a cooler with ocean water for the live bait the grandfather fell into the water,” police said. “The grandson lost sight of the grandfather about 100 feet out. He immediately called 911 and Fire Rescue Engine 11 with the County Helicopter, Chopper 1 and Chopper 2 responded to the scene to help search for the grandfather.”

The boy was airlifted from the rocky shoreline by a fire department chopper and brought to a designated landing zone where he was picked up by his grandmother.

The USCG says rescue crews searched a total area of more than 1,615 square miles (1,404 square nautical miles) over a 4-day period. Weather conditions on scene during the time of the incident were reported as 40 mph winds, seas to 8 feet with a 3-foot swell, the Coast Guard reports.