The Coast Guard says the captain of the 43-foot charter excursion boat Piper, which sank about two miles off Kahoolawe on Monday, was well prepared, helping ensure the rescue of all six on board.
"This is a great example of why it is important to have all of the required safety gear aboard your vessel," said Cmdr. Steve Wheeler, Coast Guard Sector Honolulu chief of response, noting incidents can happen quickly and without warning. "By having the required lifesaving equipment aboard, the captain ensured the safety of his passengers and prevented an unnecessary loss of life."
The Piper had a marine VHF radio, life jackets and a life raft, which were critical in ensuring the survival of everyone aboard, the Coast Guard said Tuesday.
The captain sent a radio call to the Coast Guard at noon Monday, saying the boat was sinking fast and that its two crew members and four passengers were donning life jackets.
The six people abandoned ship and got into a life raft, the Coast Guard said.
The Piper sank in 1,200 feet of water.
The Coast Guard issued an urgent marine information broadcast over VHF marine channel 16 to notify vessels in the area of the need for immediate help.
The crew of the recreational vessel Misti III responded, picked up the six in the life raft and took them to Maalaea Harbor, where emergency medical services met them. No serious injuries were reported, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the situation for pollution and debris from the vessel, which had an unspecified amount of diesel fuel. The agency is investigating the sinking of the boat, which is classified as a serious marine incident.
