The Coast Guard rescued three people hanging onto their capsized 14-foot capsized recreational vessel in the vicinity of Port Allen, Kauai, May 8, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard rescued three boaters hanging onto their capsized 14-foot capsized recreational vessel in the vicinity of Port Allen, Kauai, Sunday.
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Kauai and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point were launched to the scene as well as crewmembers from the Kauai Fire Department.
The RB-M crew arrived on scene at 4:44 a.m., and safely brought all three men aboard and transferred them to Port Allen where they were met by local emergency medical services personnel. One of the men was treated for mild hypothermia.
Watchstanders at Station Kauai received a relayed call from 911 dispatchers at 3:30 a.m. One of the boaters, using his cellphone, reported the vessel capsized and they were in distress.
“Kudos to the three men for staying with their vessel after it capsized and of course for wearing their life jackets,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Zienkiewicz, a duty watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Staying with the vessel increases your chances of survival at sea because it gives a larger point of reference for rescue crews. It also prevents you from becoming too fatigued by attempting to swim.”
