Honolulu, United States - September 19, 2024

In a daring aerial rescue operation on September 19, the U.S. Coast Guard airlifted three fishermen from the perilous waters of the Pacific Ocean after their 25-foot fishing vessel, Ichiban, succumbed to flooding and sank just nine miles off Honolulu Harbor.

The distress call was initially relayed by the Honolulu Fire Department to the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, signaling an urgent situation at sea. With the Ichiban rapidly taking on water, the crew's fate hung in the balance under the vast, indifferent expanse of the ocean.

Responding promptly, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point was dispatched. The crew, trained for such high-stakes rescues, found the fishermen treading water, their boat largely submerged. Demonstrating precision and nerve under pressure, the helicopter crew executed a hoist operation, pulling each man one by one from the sea into the safety of the aircraft.

As the helicopter returned to shore with the survivors, the relief at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu was palpable. The operation, from the initial distress call to the safe return of the fishermen, showcased the Coast Guard's relentless commitment to maritime safety.

The fishermen, once safely on land, expressed their gratitude, recounting their ordeal with a mix of relief and disbelief at their narrow escape. The sinking of the Ichiban serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that lurk in the deep, even close to the safety of land.