Nine Rescued from Sinking Charter Fishing Boat off ʻEwa Beach, Oʻahu

The passengers and crew aboard a charter fishing vessel were evacuated from the boat when it began taking on water off ʻEwa Beach, Oʻahu at 2:16 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018.

The US Coast Guard and two other Samaritan vessels (Strikeology and Maggie Joe) responded to the incident. A total of nine individuals including six passengers and three crew members were transferred off the sinking vessel.

Coast Guard officials say a portable dewatering pump proved to be ineffective against flooding of the 41-foot charter boat, Wild Bunch. The vessel was last seen submerged and drifting. No injuries were reported.

A salvage company has been hired by the owner to retrieve the vessel. The maximum pollution potential is reportedly 250 gallons of diesel fuel, 32 quarts of oil and two marine batteries.

“This is exactly the type of situation our crews train for,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Chad Chao, a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “It was through their dedication and professionalism the response team was able to get on scene and provide assistance so quickly.”

A U.S. Coast Guard Station Honolulu 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew responds to a sinking charter boat off ʻEwa Beach, Hawaiʻi, Oct. 28, 2018. The RB-M crew was able to evacuate all three boaters aboard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Candice Coolberth)

A U.S. Coast Guard Station Honolulu 45-foot Response Boat-Medium approaches a sinking vessel off ʻEwa Beach, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, Oct. 28, 2018. The crew evacuated the boaters and brought them back to shore. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Candice Coolberth)

A fishing vessel sinks of ʻEwa Beach, Hawaiʻi, Oct. 28, 2018. A Station Honolulu 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew responded to the vessel’s distress call and evacuated the three boaters aboard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Candice Coolberth/Released)