Thanks to Oahu ARRL PIO Stacy Hollbrook for this story.
Once again, it shows how amateur radio operators help save lives on the high seas.
Thanks to Charles Houlihan (KD6SPJ), Fred Moore (W3ZU, Randy VanLeeuwen (KH6RC), and personnel from the Coast Guard 14th District In Honolulu for making the rescue possible.
The original distress call was received on 28 September 2016 at approximately 0300 hrs, UTC by Charles Houlihan (KD6SPJ, a net relay station for the Pacific Seafarer’s net which meets daily.
A Coast Guard helicopter an Air Station Kodiak HC-130 aircraft were dispatched to the “Rafiki’s” last position report. A Jayhawk helicopter was able to pull the captain of the Rafiki and one additional crew member to safety aboard the helicopter.
Russell Roberts, KH6JRM
ARRL Public Information Coordinator
Hawaii County, ARRL Pacific Section