Two Rescued from Powerboat on the Rocks in Hawaii

The Coast Guard, Honolulu Fire Department, and Honolulu Police Department responded to a report of a 21-foot powerboat grounded off Haleiwa Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, Thursday morning.

"The master of the vessel radioed for assistance on VHF-FM channel 16 alerting us to their predicament and prompting the launch of the response crews," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Gebhart, of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. "We encourage all mariners to take multiple forms of communication with them at sea and reach out early and often for assistance to maximize response times."

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew airlifted the two people aboard and brought them to the nearby Haleiwa Beach Park, then transferring them to HFD.

Pollution responders are on the scene assessing the situation and surrounding area for impacts.  At this time, there are no reports of pollution. There is a maximum potential fuel load of 50 gallons of gasoline aboard, including miscellaneous lube oils and two marine batteries.

The Coast Guard, working in partnership with the State of Hawaii and vessel owner, will oversee assessment and mitigation efforts. There are no reports of personnel injuries or impacted wildlife.

At 4:38 a.m., Sector Honolulu watchstanders received notification via VHF radio, Channel 16, from the boat’s master reporting the powerboat, Defiance, was hard aground on the rocks of the jetty wall at Haleiwa Harbor.

The weather on scene is 6-foot seas and 13 mph winds.