Hawaii County firefighters rescued three men from a sinking fishing boat off of Kealakekua Bay early today.

Just before 1:45 a.m., two fire companies staffed with firefighters responded to a report of a 22-foot fishing vessel that was taking on water about six miles offshore.

The Hawaii County Fire Department said the men, described to be in their 60s, used their cellular phones to contact the Coast Guard and the fire department.

The Coast Guard launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and issued a marine information broadcast on the distressed boaters.

Lt. Scott Carr of the Coast Guard said they briefly lost contact with the men at about 2 a.m. but were able to re-establish communications after the boat had capsized. The Coast Guard advised the men to stay with the boat.

When the fire crew arrived on a rescue boat at about 3:15 a.m., they observed the three men clinging to the partially sunken vessel.

The fire department said the men were wearing life jackets and were in the water for about an hour-and-a-half.

No injuries were reported.