Coast Guard helps rescue 21 people from disabled vessel off Maui

The Coast Guard helped rescue 21 people from a disabled vessel off near Maalaea Harbor off the coast Maui, the service said in a statement.

Charter vessel Maui Diamond’s engines emitted smoke while the boat was transiting the harbor. Crew from Coast Guard Station Maui heard a radio alert on the radio and dispatched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew.

The Coast Guard crew took the passengers back to Maalaea Harbor. The crew of the Maui Diamond confirmed there was no fire and moored at Maalaea Harbor using their port engine.

“A working marine radio is one of the most important tools mariners can carry,” said Cmdr. Andrew Williams, search and rescue mission coordinator for Sector Honolulu. “Not only does it allow boaters to quickly call for help in an emergency, but monitoring channel 16 also helps boaters stay aware of nearby hazards and distress situations.”