Maui Fishermen Rescued, Boat Partially Submerged at Launiupoko

File photo Launiupoko by Wendy Osher.

Three Maui men are safe after the boat that they were on began taking on water early Monday morning offshore of Launiupoko Beach Park.

Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said the men were anchored and were fishing aboard the 23-foot Sonnie Boy vessel, when the boat suddenly began filling with water at around 3:20 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016.

According to department reports, the men were all wearing their life jackets and were in the water when a mariner aboard a private vessel (the Scorpio) about a mile away, heard a marine radio broadcast for assistance and responded to pick them up.

Two men, a 30 and a 50-year-old, were from Lahaina.  The third man and owner of the boat, was a 70-year-old Wailuku resident.

Fire officials say the Sonnie Boy was found partially submerged about 500 yards offshore of Launiupoko Beach Park.

The US Coast Guard issued a marine broadcast for assistance, while crews from the Lahaina Fire Station were dispatched to respond to the site.

A rescue boat from the Lahaina Fire Station arrived at 4:06 a.m. and transferred the three mariners from the Scorpio.

All three men were in good condition and did not require medical attention. Firefighters brought them back to Māla Boat Ramp in Lahaina at around 5 a.m., where they were picked up by family members.

A Coast Guard response boat from Māʻalaea arrived at around 4:30 a.m. and put out a notice to mariners of the location of the anchored and partially submerged boat.

Fire officials say the owner is responsible for the salvage and recovery of the boat.