Friend’s text helps guide rescue crews to stranded boaters in Hawaii, officials say

A text message in a moment of distress helped save the lives of a pair of boaters stranded near Hawaii, local media reported.

Two people were stuck in a boat about 2 miles off Peahi, on the coast of Maui, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

Officials with the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu received reports of the disabled watercraft on the evening of Jan. 5 and deployed emergency crews, including a helicopter, to assist, the outlet reported.

The officials received word about the stranded boaters from one of their friends, who said they received a text message saying the boat was having engine issues and that the passengers needed Coast Guard assistance, KWXX reported.

Helicopters located the boat around 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 6, and a fire boat towed it back to shore, Hawaii News Now reported. The boaters were in good condition.

Maui Fire & Public Safety and the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 12:04 PM with the headline "Friend’s text helps guide rescue crews to stranded boaters in Hawaii, officials say."