Coast Guard Assists Sailboat Taking on Water off Big Island

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted a sailboat crew taking on water a mile off Kihono Bay, Sunday, July 29, 2018.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake (WPB 97316) tows a sailboat off the Big Island of Hawai‘i, July 29, 2018. The Kittiwake crew responded to a distress call for the vessel taking on water and was able to dewater the vessel and tow it back to port. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Elizabeth Uitdenhowen/Released)

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kittiwake (WPB 87316) responded to the call and dewatered the 49-foot Hikoroa before towing it safely to Kawaihae Harbor.

There were no reports of injuries. The cause of the water intrusion on the sailboat is unknown at this time.

At 5:40 p.m., Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a report from Hawai‘i County Fire Department responders of a sailboat taking on water in its engineroom with two people aboard.

The Kittiwake crew launched from Kawaihae Harbor and met the distressed vessel. A rescue and response team from the cutter deployed onto the sailboat and dewatered the vessel. The water in the engineroom was reportedly waist-high at 3-feet-5-inches.

The crew of the Kittiwake then put the vessel in tow and brought it safely back to port.

The weather at the time of the incident was winds of 17-mph and seas of 5 feet.