The U.S. Coast Guard rescued six people from the Makali‘i, a 27-foot vessel that was taking on water off the coast of South Maui on Saturday afternoon. U.S. Coast Guard photo

The Maui News

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued six people from a 27-foot vessel taking on water off the coast of South Maui on Saturday.

At around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center received a report via VHF radio channel 16 from the master of the Makali’i that the vessel was taking on water at an unknown rate and the crew was bailing water by hand in addition to the onboard dewatering pumps. The vessel’s captain reported that the water level was neither increasing nor decreasing, according to a news release from the Coast Guard.

A crew from Coast Guard Station Maui launched a 45-foot response boat and arrived on the scene at 3:10 p.m. The weather on the scene was reported as winds from the east at about 11 mph and waves of less than a foot. The Coast Guard crew took the Makali’i in a stern tow and brought the vessel’s crew aboard the response boat. The Makali’i was towed to the Kihei small-boat ramp and a post-search-and-rescue boarding revealed no violations, the Coast Guard reported.

“(Makali’i’s) crew did everything right to be prepared and assist responders.” said Petty Officer 1st Class William Cusic, the search-and-rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “They called in as soon as they began taking on water, donned their lifejackets and deployed their anchor. We also recommend anytime you are on the water you take provisions and you leave word with family or friends about your voyage.”