HONOLULU — Seven mariners whose sailing vessel sank early Monday morning were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Cowabunga, a 30-foot boat participating in a weekend race to Kaua‘i, was en route back to O‘ahu when it started taking
HONOLULU — Seven mariners whose sailing vessel sank early Monday morning were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Cowabunga, a 30-foot boat participating in a weekend race to Kaua‘i, was en route back to O‘ahu when it started taking on water at approximately 12:40 a.m., states a USCG release.
The Coast Guard Watchstanders at the Sector Honolulu command center and Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu received a mayday call and a distress signal from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon on the vessel.
During the mayday call in which the vessel operator indicated the boat was taking on water, the operator reported all seven people aboard the boat were experienced mariners who wearing lifejackets and had abandoned ship at 1:33 a.m. about 29 miles off the coast of Kaena Point on O‘ahu.
Coast Guardsmen aboard a 45-foot response boat from Station Honolulu, a 47-foot motor life boat from Station Kaua‘i and the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Galveston Island responded to the call.
Coast Guard aircrews piloting an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Barbers Point responded in addition to the water craft.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship, Oscar Elton Sette, also diverted to assist.
When the Dolphin aircrew arrived on scene, a rescue swimmer was lowered with a life raft. Four of the mariners were hoisted into the aircraft at 1:50 a.m. and flown to Lihu‘e Airport while the rescue swimmer and the three remaining crew waited in the life raft for the MLB crew, who reached the scene at approximately 3:43 a.m.
All three crew members and the rescue swimmer were taken aboard and transported safely ashore to Nawiliwili Harbor.
The American Red Cross responded with volunteers heading to the Lihu‘e Airport where four of the seven rescued mariners were transported, states a Red Cross release.
The Red Cross disaster volunteers responded to ensure the rescued mariners’ immediate needs for food, shelter and clothing were met. None of the mariners have reported any injuries.
