HONOLULU – The United States Coast Guard and good Samaritans aboard two ships rescued the three-member crew of a 42-foot dismasted sailing vessel in the Pacific Ocean last week, authorities said.
The Coast Guard said the crew of the Coco Haz III was found safe 10 days after severe weather broke the mast of the sailing vessel, which was traveling from Japan to Hawaii, on Dec. 19.
Coast Guard crews conducted searches over several days.
The three sailors were located on Dec. 29 about 656 miles west-southwest of the Hawaiian Islands by the Nobility, a passing container vessel. All three crew members were reportedly in good condition.
The Kalamazoo, a container ship, then took the sailors to Hawaii, where Pete Brown, one of the crew members, told KITV in Honolulu that he was reunited with family and friends from Tennessee.
Bravo Zulu to our @AMVER mariners, @USCG & @USNavy aircrews on the successful rescue of the Coco Haz III sailing vessel crew, missing since Dec. 20, 656 miles west southwest of Hawaii. All three sailors are safe.#SAR #SOLAS
— USCG Hawaii Pacific (@USCGHawaiiPac) December 30, 2019
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