UPDATE: Sailboat Passengers Caught in Hurricane Julio Rescued

The Coast Guard is coordinating the rescue of 42-foot sailboat Walkabout caught in Hurricane Julio 414 miles northeast of Oahu, Aug. 10, 2014. Walkabout is disabled and taking on water with three people aboard. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

By Maui Now Staff

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(Update: 12:49 p.m. 8/11/14)

Three men are safely aboard a container ship enroute to Honolulu after being rescued this morning.

The three spent 24 hours battling the effects of Hurricane Julio aboard a disabled sailboat 414 miles northeast of Oʻahu.

Among those that were rescued were: Ben Nealy,61;  Lee Nealy, 22; and Mike Vanway, 22.

The sailboat named Walkabout was enroute from Stockton, Calif., to Honolulu, when it was dismasted in the hurricane and began flooding with the three passengers aboard.

This image depicts the Coast Guard’s search area for sailing vessel Walkabout Aug. 10 2014. The Coast Guard is coordinating the rescue of 42-foot sailboat Walkabout caught in Hurricane Julio 414 miles northeast of Oahu. Walkabout is disabled and taking on water with three people aboard. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

The 661-foot Matson container ship Manukai safely embarked the three passengers at 7:52 a.m. Monday.

The container ship successfully shot a line to the sailboat’s crew and pulled the sailboat and crew alongside the ship, according to Coast Guard reports. The passengers disembarked the sailboat and climbed a 30-foot ladder draped over the side of Manukai’s hull.

On-scene conditions Monday morning were reported wins of 20 mph with 13-foot seas.

The Coast Guard has issued a warning notifying mariners that the Walkabout remains adrift, and may pose a hazard to navigation.

Manukai rerouted 276 miles to assist with the rescue of Walkabout’s crew.

Coast Guard officials say the Manukai is expected to arrive in Honolulu at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014.

(Original Post)

The Coast Guard in Hawaiʻi is coordinating the rescue of a 42-foot sailboat caught in Hurricane Julio 414 miles northeast of Oʻahu.

The incident was reported Sunday morning, Aug. 10 at around 7:15 a.m..

Authorities say the sailing vessel Walkabout was disabled and taking on water with three people aboard.

On-scene conditions were reported as 92 to 115 mph winds with 30-foot seas.

At about midday, coast guard crews arrived to drop de-watering equipment and life rafts to the Walkabout, but Coast Guard officials say those aboard the vessel were unable to retrieve the equipment due to rough on-scene conditions.

A second Coast Guard air crew arrived at 7 p.m. to assist the vessel, and was expected to remain on-scene until 661-foot Matson container ship Manukai arrived at the sail boat’s location.

An update has yet to be released.