Fishermen Rescued After Spending Night in Ocean

Hawai‘i County Firefighters arrived on the scene on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at 8:49 a.m. in response to a report of two missing fisherman off Highway 240 at approximately the 7.5 mile marker.

During the HFC response, dispatch stated that two persons matching their description in the ocean off Highway 240 were spotted by a tour helicopter.

Family members said the victims had been fishing since yesterday and it appears they were swept out to sea.

Upon arrival, rescue units found two people in the ocean approximately 500 yards off shore.

The victims were seen in the water clinging to a stick and struggling to stay afloat while being circled by three large tiger sharks.

Rescue personnel began circling the victims in the water to maintain contact while attempting to scare off the sharks using aerial maneuvers.

Rescue personnel also maintained visual contact from shore, set up a landing zone and prepared to receive the injured fishermen.

Rescue personnel deployed Billy Pugh basket to rescue victims who were then brought to shore.

The fishermen sustained minor injuries which were tended to by rescue personnel.

The victims stated they had been swept out to sea late yesterday afternoon.