Boat in Distress Off Molokai Towed to Safety

File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Four men were rescued when the boat they were in went adrift off of Molokai on Saturday afternoon.

The incident was reported at 2:23 p.m. when those aboard the 23-foot “Nicole W” vessel contacted the Coast Guard for help.

The Coast Guard in turn called the Hoʻolehua Fire Station to report the boat adrift about one mile off of Laʻau Point.

The Department’s Rescue Boat 4 and Fire Ski 9 responded, making contact with the vessel at approximately 3:45 p.m.

Fire crews reported conditions at sea of winds blowing at 25 to 30 knots, and  6 to 10 foot seas.

Authorities say the boat was traveling from Oʻahu with four passengers on board, all males in their 20s and 30s.

The passengers were all reported to be in good physical health, and the vessel was towed to dock, arriving at Hale o Lono Harbor by 5:05 p.m.