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A 73-year-old Texas woman died Friday after being found face down in the water during a snorkeling tour off Maui with a vessel called the Ocean Odyssey — possibly the same vessel involved in a snorkeling-related death six days earlier.
Maui police identified the woman as Jung Aee Kim, of Grand Prairie, Texas.
Police said a vessel called the Odyssey had taken Kim and a group snorkeling at an area called “Turtle Town” on Friday morning. Kim was found face down in the water and taken back on board.
A bystander began CPR as the vessel traveled back to Maalaea Harbor to meet with paramedics and the Coast Guard about 11 a.m. Friday. Kim died despite life-saving efforts.
Her cause of death was pending test results, police said.
The Coast Guard identified the vessel as the Ocean Odyssey, which is the name of a Pacific Whale Foundation boat.
On Aug. 16, Jonathan Owens, 58, of Louisville, Kentucky died after he was found face down in the water about 9 a.m. while snorkeling at Molokini Crater. He was taken back on board and brought to Maalaea Harbor, where paramedics and the Coast Guard tried to revive him, police said.
The cause of his death has not been released.
The Coast Guard did not immediately provide the name of that vessel, but police said in both incidents a vessel called “the Odyssey” had taken the victims out for a day of snorkeling.
Pacific Whale Foundation is a nonprofit that supports its mission of protecting the oceans through science and education through ocean “eco-adventure cruises.”
It’s website says the Ocean Odyssey is a 65-foot, double deck catamaran that operates from Maalaea Harbor. The Odyssey has showers, a bar, a waterslide, and a snorkel platform and can accommodate 130 snorkelers or 147 whalewatchers. It is one of five foundation vessels operating out of Maalaea Harbor, according to the organization’s website.
A Pacific Whale Foundation spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an email Saturday seeking comment.
