Crew Aboard Disabled Vessel Rescued off Kahului, Maui

A 25-foot pleasure craft Nohuli, was safely towed to shore after the boat became disabled and adrift approximately 17 miles north of Kahului, Maui, Sunday, July 16, 2017.

The US Coast Guard utilized a 29-foot Response Boat-Small from Coast Guard Station Maui to successfully assist the vessel to shore.

Maui water, background photo by Wendy Osher; Coast Guard logo overlay.

Once on scene, the RB-S crew safely brought the three passengers aboard and placed the Nohuli into a stern tow.

The passengers and Nohuli were transported back to Kahului Harbor. No injuries were reported.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center received a call from Maui 911 dispatch just before noon Sunday and were conferenced in with the operator of the Nohuli.

The operator reported that all three people were wearing lifejackets, had plenty of food and water, were in no immediate danger and had an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon however, one member was diabetic. Attempts to coordinate commercial or good Samaritan assistance were unsuccessful prompting the Coast Guard response.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of having proper equipment and being prepared when out to sea”, said Lt. Victoria Lacefield-Rodriguez, a command duty officer at Sector Honolulu. “The Nohuli crew’s actions are a perfect example of being prepared. This tow was executed perfectly and without further incident by Station Maui, but in the event conditions worsened or something went wrong, having that EPIRB, extra provisions and any necessary medications put this crew in a position to be self sufficient until help arrived.”