Sailboat in Dire Situation Off Hawaii, Matson Containership Diverts to Assist
BY GCAPTAIN 

 

 

The U.S. Coast guard reports today a 42 foot sailboat has been caught in the midst of Hurricane Julio and is taking on water 414 miles NE of Oahu.

At 7:15 a.m. local time, watchstanders at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) in Honolulu received notification from the International Emergency Response Coordination Center in Texas of a distress call from the sailboat Walkbout with three souls on board.

Conditions at the time of the call were 92 to 115 mph winds with 30-foot seas. One of the hatches has blown away and onboard bilge pumps are unable to keep up with the flooding, according to the report received by the Coast Guard. The vessel’s life raft has also been blown overboard.


The Coast Guard is coordinating the rescue of 42-foot sailboat Walkabout caught in Hurricane Julio 414 miles northeast of Oahu, Aug. 10, 2014. Walkabout is disabled and taking on water with three people aboard. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)

 

JRCC diverted an airplane from the National Hurricane Center, Teal 76, from inside Hurricane Julio to locate the vessel and establish VHF radio communications.

At 10:49 a.m., Teal 76 reported Mayday calls being broadcast from Walkabout.

An HC-130 Hercules airplane crew launched from Air Station Barbers Point at 11:10 a.m. to deliver a life raft and relieve Teal 76.

The 661-foot container ship Manukai, owned by Matson, has diverted and is enroute to the location of the sailboat.

 

Source: http://gcaptain.com/sailboat-dire-situation-hawaii-matson-containership-diverts-assist/

 

--GCaptain 2014-08-11

What a horrible situation to be in...

Hope all 3 are rescued..

No liferaft?

Oh dear.

Been reported the 3 aboard have been rescued.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lkwxflM5EM

Hope they gonna be fine! Good job Matson!!!

A yacht 'Walkabout' registered Lake Macquarie (NSW AUST). Glad I'm not onboard.

As a Sailor My thoughts and best wishes are with you...