HONOLULU — The Coast Guard responded to a report of a disabled 45-foot-sailing vessel with 14 people aboard 3 miles west of Diamond Head, Oahu, Saturday.
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Honolulu was launched to the scene and towed the Summer Breeze into the Ala Wai Harbor to prevent the vessel from running aground near Sand Island.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received a call from a concerned passenger aboard the Summer Breeze stating the vessel was disabled due to depleted batteries.
The vessel was attempting to return to the Ala Wai under sail but was unsuccessful and was drifting into the surf zone.
The owner made several attempts to contact commercial salvage companies, but none were available to provide assistance. This coupled with their location in a surf zone prompted the Coast Guard response and the launch of the RBM crew.
Once at the dock, the RBM crew conducted a post search and rescue boarding on the vessel to confirm it was seaworthy and all required safety gear was aboard prior to returning the vessel to the owner.