The Canadian brothers and 9-year-old boy rescued from the ocean off Hawaii when their sailboat sank during a voyage from Mexico met with Coast Guardsmen who helped coordinate the mission to save them. 

Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu staff told Brad James, his son, and James’ brother how they were able to divert the cargo ship Horizon Reliance to pick the three up. 

The Coast Guard said in a news release Wednesday the family’s use of lifejackets was a major factor in their survival. 

The three hit a series of storms while sailing from Mexico to Hawaii. High winds snapped their mast and choppy water overheated their engine about 300 miles from their destination.