The fishing vessel “Princess Hawaii” sank 400 miles northeast of the Big Island, Hawaii, on 25 of March. The fishing vessel was carrying eight crewmembers at the thime of the accident, which were all rescued.
The Coast Guard Joint Response Coordination Center Honolulu received an emergency position indicating radio beacon alert. Watchstanders called the registered owner who confirmed the vessel left early that morning to fish, but noone was able to make contact with the ship.
Once the alert was confirmed, an HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point launched. The aircrew spotted a flare and life raft. The aircrew located the Princess Hawaii mostly sank with only the stern above the water.
The aircrew confirmed all of the crew were accounted for and were in good condition. They then established communication with the crew of another fishing vessel, the “Commander”, to recover the survivors. The aircrew remained on scene until the “Commander” arrived to rescue the survivors.
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The Princess Hawaii had a captain, six crewmembers and an observer from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aboard and was fishing within 20 miles of its sister ship, the “Commander”.
“Commander” successfully rescued all eight people from a life raft, and is scheduled to arrive in Oahu, on 30 of March.
No injuries were reported.
