The Coast Guard released the mayday call from the VHF-FM channel 16 where the man asked for assistance after a wave swamped the boat.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The United States Coast Guard rescued a man and his two sons, ages eight and 12, on Saturday evening after their boat capsized offshore of Lanai.
Officials from the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center received a mayday call around 12:10 p.m. from the man calling for help.
The Coast Guard released the mayday call from the VHF-FM channel 16 where the man asked for assistance after a wave swamped the boat.
No other information or the boat’s location was included in the call.
According to the USCG, an urgent marine information broadcast was issued and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was launched from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point.
The HC-130 Hercules airplane crew responded to the distress call.
Crews searched the waters west of Maui, south of Lanai and west of Kaho’olawe. Shortly after 5 p.m., the 16-foot capsized boat was located seven miles south of Manele Harbor.
The father and his sons were transported to Maui’s Kahului Airport. No injuries were reported.
Coast Guard officials recommend that all boaters carry a handheld marine radio to alert first responders in an emergency.
We recommend all boaters wear life jackets when underway. Emergencies unfold quickly and may not allow enough time to find and fasten a life jacket.
Lt. Zachary Kayser, command duty officer, Sector Honolulu command center
Officials said weather conditions at the time were nine miles per hour winds and three to five-foot seas.