The U.S. Coast Guard is praising Trilogy Excursions for responding to a collision between a canoe and the sailing vessel Winona on Jan. 29. Photo courtesy of the Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard praised Trilogy Excursions tour crews for assisting in a rescue off Maalaea on Jan. 29 when a catamaran and canoe with 10 paddlers collided with each other.

“We are very grateful to the crews of the Trilogy IV and Trilogy II for assisting in this rescue,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Gaberiel Cortes. “This rescue not only demonstrates how tightknit the boating community is in Hawaii, but also the importance of having a VHF radio on board your vessel or watercraft.”

The sailing vessel Winona reported the collision with the canoe carrying 10 people and said three were in the water.

The Trilogy IV, a 65-foot catamaran, rescued the three people in the water and brought the remaining seven from the outrigger canoe aboard the catamaran.

The Coast Guard also launched a 45-foot response vessel that arrived at the scene at 8:13 a.m.

“The boat crew transferred seven people, including a woman with a minor injury, aboard the RB-M with three remaining aboard the Trilogy IV,” the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard crew helped dewater the Winona and escorted the vessel back to Maalaea Harbor, where emergency medical services personnel were waiting.

Another vessel, the Trilogy II, was able to refloat the outrigger canoe and tow it back to the Maui Canoe Club at Sugar Beach.

Stephen Bennett, president of Trilogy Excursions, said they are grateful that everyone involved is safe and Bennett is proud of Trilogy’s captains and crew for their swift response.

“The Maui ocean community looks out for one another, and this incident highlights how important that is,” Bennett said. “We greatly appreciate the Coast Guard’s prompt response and coordination.”