Rescue personnel from the Coast Guard and Maui Fire Department converged on the west side of Molokai on Saturday to assist a boat that was taking on water and two people standed on a disabled jet ski.

In response to a 4:55 p.m. Mayday transmission from the boat, the Coast Guard launched a 45-foot rescue boat from San Island and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Barbers Point. 

The Maui Fire Department also sent a rescue boat to assist. A rescue swimmer from the helicopter delivered a dewatering pump, which enabled the boaters to control the flooding and restart the vessel’s engines. The 20-foot recreational vessel was escorted to Kepuhi Bay by the fire rescue boat.

The Coast Guard helicopter and rescue boat then headed to the stranded jet skiers, who called for help via cell phone at 5:49 p.m. With the helicopter keeping watch overhead, the rescue boat towed the jet ski to Kepuhi Bay.