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Ten saved
after boat sinks
near Hickam

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Star-Bulletin staff

The Coast Guard and firefighters rescued 10 people from the ocean after the fishing boat they were in overturned and sank in choppy seas a half-mile offshore of Pearl Channel yesterday.

The boat sank near the channel leading to Hickam's small boat harbor.

Helicopters and the Fire Department rescue boat picked up passengers after a distress call came in about 5:28 p.m.

Coast Guard and Fire Department helicopters retrieved three boaters each. The Fire Department rescue boat retrieved four.

Seven men and three women were aboard the vessel. Other than the captain and his wife, ages ranged from 29 to 51.

The 37-foot sport fishing boat was all but submerged by the time rescuers arrived. All 10 passengers were retrieved from the water by 6:20 p.m. and initially taken to Hickam Air Force Base marina.

The boat captain, 66, and his wife, 59, went to Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi for hypothermia checks. There were no other reports of injuries.

The Fire Department said the vessel was on a pleasure cruise from Ala Wai Boat Harbor. After it began taking on water, its bilge pumps could not remove it.

The other rescued boaters were returned to Ala Wai Boat Harbor by Air Force bus.