Posted at 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Boat catches fire off Maui, three being rescued
Advertiser Staff
The Coast Guard has launched a rescue boat from Maui and a helicopter from Barbers Point to come to the aid of three people who reported that their boat was on fire about eight miles southwest of Maui.Coast Guard Petty Officer Michael De Nyse said those aboard the boat activated an emergency position indicating radio beacon or EPIRB after the fire broke out aboard the vessel "Catch and Karey."
De Nyse did not have any information as to where the boat is from, where it was headed or how large it is. He said Coast Guard rescue workers were able to contact those aboard the burning boat via cell phone.
"They told us all three are wearing life jackets and have gotten into a life raft they deployed form their vessel," De Nyse said. "They were equipped with the right kinds of equipment and have taken exactly the right steps that we encourage people to take when the get into these kinds of situations," he said.
He said the boat is just about midway between Lanai and Maui.
