Coast Guard investigation cites factors before and during tow
COURTESY U.S. COAST GUARD
The lack of any deck fittings led to the attaching of the towline to the Kolina’s jury-rigged mizzenmast.
The Kolina was a wooden, 30-foot sailing vessel that was built in Thailand in 1952. When it arrived in Hawaii in 1984, it was named Mekala.
The U.S. Coast Guard investigated the sinking of the Kolina and the death of Lance Alexander, 71, and a review board released a report Sept. 26, finding that:
>> The Coast Guard-established tow of the Kolina resulted in the boat losing its mast and, ultimately, in the loss of a civilian life.
>> The lack of any deck fittings led Alexander to attach the towline to a jury-rigged mizzenmast used in place of the mainmast and improperly supported with polypropylene line in lieu of wire-rope standing rigging. This arrangement was insufficient to withstand the forces generated during a towing evolution.
>> Kolina should not have been in the water because it was unseaworthy, with recurring flooding, a lack of critical navigation and safety equipment, and was in a general state of disrepair.
>> The relationship between the Coast Guard cutter Kiska and Kolina during the tow created a force that induced extra stress on the towline and attachment points of the tow, particularly Kolina’s mast and rigging.
>> The responding Coast Guard units failed to adequately asses the risk associated with the tow.
>> The Coast Guard did not have relevant information on the Kolina’s construction and condition.
>> Enforcement of security regulations of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kawaihae harbor security officials led to Alexander anchoring the Kolina outside the protected waters of Kawaihae Harbor, and the boat ultimately drifted out to sea.
>> Darkness complicated the rescue operations.
5 responses to “Coast Guard investigation cites factors before and during tow”
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So because some old salt decides to sail in a vessel that is “unseaworthy” and the Coast Guard comes to his aid….its the Coast Guard’s fault? C’mom!!!!! get Real!!!
Coast Guard is leaving itself open to criticism. They are making the same mistakes at Honolulu, Harbor. Fishing vessels are unsafe, crews are illegally smuggled aliens and there is a lack of leadership or coordination with ICE/CBP. They allow illegal thing to happen and this is the result. The alien “loop hole” remains undiscussed and further criticism will be heading toward the Coast Guard. It is a good organization but they rudderless… once they put their foot down on the human smuggling they will take the high ground again, make the vessels safe and create a safer environment for their employees to work in.
The boat could have been totally renovated a number of times during its 32 years in Hawaii.
The boat was a piece of junk and the owner, RIP, had no business attempting what he did. It would be very easy to blame and hold culpable the State and Feds. But the demise of both boat and it’s owner were inevitable. Any person who has spent a minimal amount of time around small boats and/or worked with USCG and is familiar with their SAR efforts, can appreciate the position they were placed in. USCG not to blame here.
pilot, agree.