Coast Guard, Maui Fire Rescue save 3 paddle boarders off Maui

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 14th District Hawaii and the Pacific Contact: 14th District Public Affairs Office: (808) 535-3230 After Hours: (808) 341-9849 14th District online newsroom

Coast Guard, Maui Fire Rescue save 3 paddle boarders off Maui

HONOLULU — A Coast Guard Station Maui crew and Maui Fire and Rescue responders saved three paddle boarders in distress near Ukumehame Beach Park, Maui, Wednesday.

The Station Maui 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew found the paddle boarders holding onto a single paddleboard and was able to bring them onto the boat before Jet Ski operators from Maui Fire and Rescue returned them to shore.

At approximately 2 p.m., Station Maui watchstanders received a report from a beachgoer who called 911 about three paddle boarders in distress 250-yards offshore.

The RB-M crew was launched to respond. An Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew was also diverted from nearby training to assist.

Once aboard, one paddle boarder was given medical assistance for a small cut on his foot before they were transferred to Maui Fire and Rescue Jet Ski operators who took them back to the beach.

“Check the weather before you go out,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Cooke, a Station Maui coxswain. “Be safe, know your surroundings and limits.”

The Coast Guard advises all waterway users to create a float plan and to notify someone of their intentions before they go out.

All three of the paddle boarder’s boards were also retrieved.

The weather at the time of the rescue was 2 to 3-foot seas with 23 mph winds out of the northeast.

-USCG-