Snorkeler Dies in Bad Weather at Molokini Crater

Coast Guard Station Maui at Maalaea. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

(Update: 6:14 p.m. 7/20/2014)

Maui police have since identified a man who died in a miscellaneous accident off of Molokini Crater as Mark Strickert, 50, of Austin, Texas.

The man was one of several individuals who became distressed in high surf, winds and rain during an ocean activity cruise aboard the Double Scoop vessel operated by Scuba Shack, according to Maui police.

Police responded to the incident at around 8:21 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2014. At the time, the Island of Maui was under a flood advisory and the state was under a flash flood watch due to the impact of remnants from storm Wali.

Police say Strickert did not survive and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was transported by the Coast Guard to the Coast Guard Station in Māʻalaea.

According to police reports a 23-year-old female crew member of the Double Scoop vessel was brought in by the company’s vessel to the Kīhei Boat Ramp, and was then transported in critical condition to the Maui Memorial Medical Center.

A third victim, described by police as a 48-year-old female, sustained abrasions and was transported in good condition to the Maui Memorial Medical Center for further treatment.

Police say there were three crew members and 12 passengers on board the vessel when the incident occurred.

The rest of the individuals were brought back safely by the Coast Guard and the Maui Fire Department, police said.

Police say the cause of death for Strickert has not been determined pending autopsy results, and have currently classified the incident as a miscellaneous accident.

(Original Post: 7/20/2014)

The Coast Guard and the Maui County Fire Department rescued four snorkelers, one who was unresponsive, near Molokini Crater off Maui on Sunday morning, July 20, 2014.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received notification from the operator of the vessel, “Double Scoop,” that one of their snorkelers was unresponsive and three others were stranded in the rocks in the surf zone near the islet.

The Coast Guard reports that a 45-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Maui and a jet ski from the Maui County Fire Department were launched to the scene.

The rescue crews arrived on scene, safely recovered the unresponsive and three stranded snorkelers and transferred them onto the rescue boat.

Authorities say rescue personnel administered CPR on the unresponsive snorkeler, and transported all four to the Māʻalaea Boat Ramp where local emergency medical personnel were waiting to take them to the hospital.

The condition of those rescued was unavailable at last report.