Five Divers Rescued from Disabled Boat off Honokōwai

By Wendy Osher

Five men aboard a 17-foot boat were rescued from waters off of West Maui after experiencing engine trouble early Sunday morning, Sept. 27, 2015.

The incident was reported at 3:10 a.m., when hotel security from the Kahana Beach Resort reported seeing two aerial flares offshore.

Department officials say Nāpili firefighters responding to the incident, arrived on scene at 3:17 a.m. and spotted the vessel offshore.

Maui Fire Services Officer Edward Taomoto said a Lahaina rescue boat located the vessel about a quarter-mile off of Honokōwai Beach Park and made contact with the mariners at around 4 a.m.

According to FSO Taomoto, the men, all from Kīhei and ranging in age from 25 to 70, had been scuba diving near Hawea Point, just north of Kapalua Bay, and could not start their engines after pulling anchor.

Officials say the boat began drifting south, and those aboard shot off several emergency distress flares, in the hopes that someone would notice and call for help.

None of the men were carrying a marine radio or cell phone, according to FSO Taomoto.

The Lahaina crew transferred equipment and men off of the boat to lighten the load, and towed the vessel back to its launch point at the Māla Boat Ramp in Lahaina at around 5:45 a.m.