Posted on: Sunday, September 9, 2001

One in hospital, six safe after sea rescue

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

Seven people were rescued yesterday after their boat sank about two miles off Makapu'u.

The 18-foot pleasure craft sank around 11:30 a.m. yesterday after being overtaken by large waves.

A Coast Guard helicopter and auxiliary boat responded to the distress call, said Lauren Smith, Coast Guard public affairs petty officer.

The sunken boat had been escorting a paddleboarder in a race, Smith said.

Another boat in the area, the Mambo, was first to aid the passengers, and took six safely to shore at Hawai'i Kai.

A seventh passenger suffered from exposure to gasoline from the sunken craft. The Coast Guard boat picked the man up and transported him to an area hospital for treatment and observation.

Smith said there were six- to eight-foot swells yesterday, but no small craft advisories had been issued.