Snorkeler Medevaced From Molokini Crater off Maui

Molokini Crater. File photo by Wendy Osher.

A 69-year-old man was medevaced after experiencing pain in both arms while snorkeling near Molokini Crater on Wednesday morning, July 11, 2018.

The incident was reported at 9:25 a.m. by crew aboard the 53-foot passenger vessel Lani Kai to watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Maui.

A Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew along with a paramedic from the American Medical Association Medic 15 rendered assistance.

Once on scene, the paramedic assessed the snorkeler’s condition and recommended a medevac, which was concurred with by a Coast Guard duty flight surgeon.

The patient was transferred to the response boat and brought to awaiting emergency services on shore who transported him to the Maui Memorial Medical Center.

“We work closely with our emergency service partners to get visitors and waterway users to a higher level of medical care as quickly as possible,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Grant Hadley, a boatswain’s mate at the station.

The weather at the time of the medevac was 2-foot seas with light and variable winds.