Sailor on the Hokule‘a reportedly falls overboard

Hokule‘a organizers and supporters are breathing sighs of relief after a member of the canoe’s current sail leg reportedly fell overboard in the Indian Ocean but then was safely rescued, marking the first such reported incident in the vessel’s sail around the world.

The crew member, whose identity hasn’t been released, fell while moving a bilge pump across the canoe, according to a blog posted Sunday on the Hokule‘a’s official website. Crews periodically use the pump to drain any seawater out of the canoe’s two hulls.

Within seconds crews executed their emergency procedures: throwing him the canoe’s man-overboard pole equipped with strobes, a life preserver and hundreds of feet of line tethered to the canoe, the blog stated. The crew member wore an inflatable life vest that inflated properly, according to the blog, written by longtime Hokule‘a crew member and ‘Oiwi TV Chief Executive Director Na‘alehu Anthony.

Less than 10 minutes later, with help from the Hokule‘a’s trailing escort vessel, the Gershon II, the crew member was pulled to safety despite “challenging sea conditions,” Anthony wrote. He and 10 other crew members are sailing this latest 3,500-mile leg through the unfamiliar and unpredictable Indian Ocean — the canoe’s long­est-ever leg of sailing.

The man-overboard incident reportedly took place amid punishing stormy weather, featuring large swells, heavy rain and strong wind. It wasn’t clear whether it took place during daylight or at night. However, it shows the risks inherent to the Hokule‘a’s “Malama Honua” (“Care for the Earth”) worldwide voyage, a goodwill journey aimed at promoting environmental conservation and cultural harmony.

The Hokule‘a typically sails at about 6 to 8 mph. If someone falls overboard the person can’t catch up at those speeds. The canoe can quickly stop but it can’t readily turn around. The Hokule‘a’s motorized escort typically stays at least a mile behind the canoe to respond to such an emergency — just as the Gershon II did last week, according to the blog. Each crew also includes at least one trained safety swimmer.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society is aware of the risks and calls safety its top priority. It prepares Hokule‘a crews with hours of safety briefings and drills in the classroom and aboard the canoe. Some of the drills are unannounced and at sea. Despite all the precautions, group leaders have said there’s a statistical probability of at least two man-overboard events during the more than 50,000-mile Malama Honua sail. They want everyone aboard to be ready.

“Our safety and training protocols proved their value when one of our crew went into the sea,” Anthony wrote. “These proved to be effective and the crew successfully executed what we had been trained to do.”

Late last year PVS President Nainoa Thompson announced that the Gershon II would replace the voyaging canoe Hikianalia as the Hokule‘a’s escort to better anticipate any emergencies in the Indian Ocean.

Prior to this leg the Hokule‘a had already experienced at least a couple of man- overboard events in its 40-year history and more than 150,000 miles of sailing.

Crews anchored this past weekend at Cocos (Keeling) Island, where they plan to rest for several days before their remaining 2,300-mile journey to the Mauritius Islands.