HONOLULU — The Coast Guard rescued three people and a dog from a life raft off Oahu’s North Shore, Sunday.
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point arrived on scene 41 miles northeast of Oahu’s North Shore and hoisted the three people and their dog safely into the helicopter before returning to Air Station Barbers Point.
“Our crews train regularly to conduct just this kind of rescue and these mariners helped themselves by being prepared with a life raft and life jackets,” said Lt. Patrick Frain of Sector Honolulu. “We always recommend mariners carry a VHF-FM radio so they can contact the Coast Guard if the need arises, like it did today.”
At 12:44 p.m. watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center received a call from the master of the 70-foot catamaran Brandi Anne over VHF-FM channel 16 reporting they were rapidly taking on water. The watchstanders immediately dispatched responders including the Dolphin crew and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Honolulu.
During further communications the master reported they were abandoning the vessel into an orange life raft. All three people are reportedly wearing life jackets
Weather on scene was reportedly seas up to 4 feet with winds of 18 mph, gusting to 23 mph and clear skies.
The catamaran is partially submerged and may present a hazard to navigation. Mariners in the area are advised to keep a sharp lookout to avoid collision.