The Coast Guard, Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services and Honolulu Fire Department personnel rescued 10 boaters in two separate cases off Kahala, Oahu, Sunday.
In both cases responders were able to locate all survivors, bring them aboard response craft and get them to safety.
At 10:04 a.m. the Coast Guard overheard Ocean Safety personnel responding to a report of a 15-foot vessel taking on water with three people aboard a mile and a half south of Kahala. Ocean Safety located all three boaters, took them aboard their jet skis and brought them to shore.
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Honolulu was on site to provide assistance. Crews were unable to successfully dewater the capsized vessel and it remains partially submerged, unlighted and adrift. A broadcast notice to mariners has been issued alerting those in the area of the potential hazard to navigation.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has been notified. The owner of the vessel is expected to attempt salvage. The small vessel reportedly has an outboard with a 15-gallon gasoline tank.
At 10:36 a.m. HFD requested assistance from the Coast Guard to respond to a report of an overturned canoe with seven people aboard off Kahala, a mere 100-yards from the first response location. The Coast Guard crew safely recovered all seven people onto the RB-M and transported them safely to the Ala Wai Boat Harbor.
Crewmembers from the Honolulu Fire Department righted the canoe and towed it toward Ala Wai Boat Harbor, before being relived of the tow by a good Samaritan who brought the vessel safely into the harbor.
No injuries or pollution were reported from either case.
"We've had an incredibly busy day for search and rescue cases throughout the Hawaiian Islands," said Petty Officer 1st Class AJ Labarr, a duty watchstander from Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. "Our partnership with local emergency responders like Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services and the Honolulu Fire Department allow all of us to work together seamlessly in these type of situations and save lives."
Early Sunday, the Coast Guard responded to a report of three boaters in distress off Kauai. A Coast Guard Station Kauai RB-M crew safely recovered them and brought them to Port Allen. One man was mildly hypothermic. For more information and imagery of that case please click here or visit https://goo.gl/5brzXO.