Mariners in Distress at Kahakuloa Assisted to Shore

Kahakuloa, file photo by Wendy Osher

By Wendy Osher

Emergency crews were dispatched on Thursday evening to reports of a vessel in distress in waters off of Kahakuloa on Maui.

The Maui Fire Department’s Air 1 helicopter was launched, along with fire rescue personnel and equipment at 5:43 p.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2012.

Initial reports indicated that the boat was anchored about 30 feet offshore from the sea-cliffs at Kahakuloa.

Officials say the 15 foot vessel was found by Air 1 at 6:21 p.m., about 6 miles NW of Kahului harbor and approximately 200 yards off shore.

The two Kahului men aboard the vessel, ages 51 and 29, were alright, but were experiencing engine trouble, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

According to Mainaga, the department’s rescue boat and personal watercraft assisted the vessel back to Kahului Harbor.