Good samaritan vessels and a U.S. Coast Guard boat crew rescued 15 passengers from a catamaran after it struck a rock off Lanai and began to take on water, on March 9. There were no injuries or pollution reported.
At 0900 hours, Sector Honolulu got a call in distress from a passenger catamaran Kaulana. The vessel reported to have been struck a rock off Manele Bay while under way from Lanai to Maui.
Due to hitting a rock, the master of the catamaran stated that there was a hole in the hull and that the bilge pumps were maintaining the water level inside the vessel.
Also, the vessel’s rudder was damaged, which prevented it from voyaging in a straight line. The master reported that there were 15 passengers aboard, including three children.
After receiving the call, a USCG Maui response boat headed to the scene to assist. In the meantime, the Coast Guard asked for additional assistance.
The passenger vessel Quicksilver received the call and sailed to the scene, and the dinner cruise vessel Maui Princess got under way from Lahaina to help with a passenger evacuation.
When it arrived, the Coast Guard crew transmitted a responder to the Kaulana, who assisted in patching the hole in the vessel’s hull and helped with dewatering.
Continuing, the Maui Princess arrived and took aboard the catamaran’s passengers. After safely boarding the passengers, the vessel took the Kaulana in tow, and proceeded back to the harbour at Lahaina, Maui.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Alvin Seguin, a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu commented
We are thankful for the quick response from the crews of the Maui Princess and Quicksilver. All mariners share a common bond, and when something like this happens, it is through teamwork we reach the best possible outcome.
Concluding, the weather at the time of the incident was winds of 17 mph and seas up to 3 feet.
