Five people were rescued by the Coast Guard after their boat capsized about a mile from Kalihi Channel near Ke’ehi Lagoon Sunday afternoon.

The incident happened at about 3:30 p.m., with the Coast Guard receiving a mayday call over VHF channel 16 from the owner of the 21-foot boat. The five people were taken to Ke’ehi Lagoon. 

“This case had a happy ending because they had a working VHF radio on board their vessel,” said Lt. Patton Epperson, Goast Guard command duty officer. “As soon as this vessel used their radio to call mayday, followed by their position and a description of the boat, we were able to send a rescue boat directly to their location.”

A commercial salvage company removed the vessel from the water.