Shipwreck Log

The 74 foot long sailboat Hawai‘i Aloha capsized and ran aground along the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.  The Hawai‘i Aloha, loaded with supplies for Christmas Island, headed out to sea with 5 crew after receiving a weather alert.  The sailboat was proceeding through rough seas when it was struck broadside by a series of large waves.  The sailboat rolled over twice and was demasted. The crew shot off flares before 4 of the 5  crew abandoned ship into a life raft. The flares were spotted from shore and the Hawai‘i Aloha crew were rescued.  One crew member was swept overboard during the capsizing.  The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue for the missing crew member.  The Hawai‘i Aloha is part of the YWAM, Youth With A Mission,  fleet of vessels used to provide medical, dental, education and clean water to isolated islands.