October 29, 2021, 12:04 PM HST
Six sailors aboard a beached sailboat were rescued by the US Coast Guard about a half mile off Olowalu, Maui on Thursday.
The vessel “Moana” was disabled due to grounding, and Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crews successfully rescued and escorted the sailors to Station Maui with no reported injuries.
“Our crews train year-round for this exact scenario and last night’s rescue efforts reflect that hard work,” said Chief Petty Officer Malia Chasteen, Maui station officer in charge. “My crew never fails to impress me with their dedication and commitment to duty.”
Honolulu Coast Guard Sector observers received a report from Maui Station that the Moana ran aground around 7:20 p.m. Thursday and was drifting further into a surf patch. Upon notification, the lookouts issued an urgent maritime information broadcast, launched a Maui Station RB-M crew and an Air Station Barbers Point C-130 Hercules crew.
Once on scene, the C-130 crew dropped flares which guided the RB-M crew and Maui Fire Department surface crews.
The Coast Guard monitors the plans formulated by the captain of the Moana to save the vessel.
