What Crew Members Say About Kilo-Moana

On November 21, 2019, the hydrographic research vessel 'Kilo Moana' took swift action to assist the crew of four aboard the French catamaran 'Thetis' (MMSI: 227793760), which was experiencing distress approximately 930 kilometers south of Raivavae. Despite being located 200 miles away, the 'Kilo Moana' was redirected to provide crucial support as the catamaran faced significant water ingress in one of its hulls. Early in the morning at 4 a.m., the skipper communicated his efforts to patch a breach in challenging sea conditions characterized by a two-meter swell. With preparations underway to evacuate to a life raft, the situation remained tense. The JRCC Tahiti, closely monitoring the sailboat via satellite and maintaining ongoing communication with the crew, promptly alerted 'Kilo Moana,' ensuring that help was on the way for those in peril on the high seas.

In a collaborative effort, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy successfully executed a medevac operation for a 55-year-old crew member from the research vessel Kilo Moana, which is located approximately 175 miles northeast of Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. The crewman arrived in Honolulu on Tuesday, receiving timely medical attention due to the quick response of both military services. Lieutenant junior grade Tim Lae from the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu emphasized the significance of teamwork with the Navy, stating, "This case illustrates the importance of our partnership and the capability of hoist-equipped helicopters to conduct medevacs at such distances, enabling us to get mariners to critical care swiftly." The operation involved a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, which hoisted the crewman aboard and safely delivered him to emergency medical personnel at Kaneohe Bay around 6:17 p.m. He was then transported by ambulance to Queens Medical Center for further care. Meanwhile, a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircrew provided aerial support and communications throughout the mission.

On December 6, 2012, the Coast Guard swiftly responded to an emergency involving the research vessel 'Kilo Moana', which was reported taking on water approximately 60 miles north of Turtle Bay. At around 12:15 p.m., crewmembers alerted Sector Honolulu watchstanders that they were experiencing flooding at an alarming rate of 400 gallons per hour due to a baseball-sized hole in the hull. The cause of the hull breach remained unclear. Attempts by the crew to patch the damaged area were unsuccessful, and the situation worsened with ongoing water ingress. In a coordinated response, two Coast Guard rescue swimmers were deployed to the 'Kilo Moana' to assist with dewatering efforts. Additional support arrived from aircrews flying an HC-130 Hercules airplane and two MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Barbers Point. A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Honolulu and a 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Kauai were also launched to help, with operations eventually taken over by the Coast Guard Cutter 'Ahi'. Damage control experts from the 'Ahi' boarded the vessel to conduct critical repairs while a Dolphin aircrew made one last equipment delivery. Throughout the operation, the 'Ahi' maintained proximity to the 'Kilo Moana' until its safe arrival in Honolulu Harbor shortly before midnight on January 7. The Hercules and other Dolphin aircrews returned to their base once their support was no longer needed. Over the course of the incident, a total of seven pumps were delivered to assist in managing the flooding, with 20 crewmembers and 20 passengers on board. The vessel was well-prepared for emergencies, boasting six 25-man life rafts and life jackets for all individuals aboard. For further details, including photos and video, visit the Coast Guard news portal at http://www.d14.uscgnews.com/go/doc/800/1270743/