Catarmaran Sinks in Maui, 1 Dead, 54 Rescued

[RSWBADGER]

http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=28917

 

Snapped mast kills one

By LEHIA APANA, Staff Writer

LAHAINA – A snapped mast aboard a catamaran sailing in rough seas claimed the life of a 48-year-old man and sent three people to Maui Memorial Medical Center on Sunday.

 

The commercial sailing catamaran Kiele V was about one mile offshore of Kahana Beach when its mast cracked and fell on deck, according to Lt. Brian Murphy of the U.S. Coast Guard.

 

We were on a Whale Watching boat just this past Friday, had very windy conditions.

[gottacruise2]

OMGosh how tragic for that family and how terribly frightening that must have been for all on board. I know they are normally very careful about going out when it's rough and windy, especially with putting up the sail.

 

My thoughts and prayers go out to all involved.

[RSWBADGER]

Posted: Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 10:28 AM HST

Coast Guard finds sunken vessel

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ The Coast Guard last night found the sunken whale-watching catamaran whose mast broke off near Maui, killing one man and requiring the rescue of at least 50 other tourists.

 

The Guard says the 55-foot boat was broken up into different pieces near Molokai with a portion of the hull on the reef and other parts drifting everywhere.

 

The Coast Guard will assess the situation today and decide if divers should retrieve the wreckage.

 

The crew from the 55-foot tour boat reported on the vessel's radio Sunday evening that the mast snapped about two miles off Kahana Beach near Kaanapali. Witnesses said the boat was sinking and many passengers were already in the water when additional boats arrived.

 

All passengers have been accounted for. But it's unclear what caused the boat to sink after mast broke.

 

Forty-eight-year-old Hal Pulfer of Highland Park, Illinois, died. Two others were taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center -- one is in stable condition, and the other was treated and released.

 

Witnesses say Pulfer was struck by the falling mast and rigging. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

 

 

(Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved

http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=11103