A recreational vessel was saved from washing onto the reef in very rough waters, last evening.
Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Scott Mochkatel said they were made aware of the vessel in distress by the Harbor Master and confirmed that the vessel, Ester Frances, was safely moored in the harbor by 6:30 this morning, after a successful rescue operation last evening.
Efforts to get information from the Harbor Master were not successful.
Resident yachtsman Timothy Jones said the vessel was trying to make port yesterday after being at sea for over a month, but was overwhelmed by wind and waves as it turned near Vaitogi.
The boat was being pushed by wind and currents dangerously near Steps Point.
Jones said the steering rudder broke and the boat had to turn, and back into the wind with the engine, to try and reach deeper water.
Luckily the Mana o le Moana, a fishing vessel owned by Halecks, was able to render assistance and the Ester Frances was towed into port at daylight this morning.
Jones said the quick thinking of the Harbor Master and the pure luck that a local fishing vessel, the Mana o le Moana, was only 15 miles away saved a life last night. “All I did was operate the command center and assist the final leg to tie up the damaged vessel,” he said.
The Marine Patrol Division was not involved in the salvage operation yesterday, although it was contacted.
Marine Patrol responded to emergency calls from Aunuu, Friday and Saturday.
Director of the Department of Search and Rescue, Save Liuato Tuitele said because the channel between Auasi and Aunuu was closed, due to rough seas, the Marine Patrol vessel was dispatched to the island to transport to the hospital a resident who suffered a heart attack on Friday, and a stroke patient on Saturday.
