Boat Escorted to Shore After Taking on Water off Maui

A Coast Guard Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew escorts the commercial passenger vessel Maka Koa back to port five miles south of Maalaea, Maui, Aug. 14, 2016. The Coast Guard responded to a report of the 43-foot vessel, with 21 people aboard, taking on water off Maui. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Lester/Released)

Coast Guard Station Maui personnel responded to a report of a commercial vessel with 21 people aboard taking on water off Maui on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016.

It was one of eight search and rescue missions and marine safety cases conducted across the state by Coast Guard crews between Friday and Sunday.

A Coast Guard Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew arrived on scene five miles south of Māʻalaea and verified the crew of the 43-foot Maka Koa had the situation in hand before escorting the vessel back to port.

It was determined the vessel was taking on water around their shaft and has since been removed from the water to receive repairs and inspections before returning to service.

“The Maka Koa crew was very professional and effective in their casualty response,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Rob Lester, a crewman aboard the Station Maui RB-M.

“Upon arrival we confirmed the vessel’s installed bilge pumps were keeping up with the leak and provided a standby until they reached port. We applaud the operators quick action identifying the problem and alerting us to what could have become a more severe case,” said Lester.

Also over the weekend, crews from Station Maui and the Maui Fire Department responded to a report of an adrift pool toy 200-yards off Kāʻanapali on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. The toy was located and recovered. Maui Fire Department resources and a Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin crew conducted searches in the area to ensure no one was in distress. The case was closed.