Fishing boat in distress heads back to Honolulu

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HONOLULU — The Coast Guard says a 68-foot commercial fishing boat in distress Sunday is on its way back to Honolulu.

HONOLULU — The Coast Guard says a 68-foot commercial fishing boat in distress Sunday is on its way back to Honolulu.

Lt. Jr. Grade Michael Karman tells KHON-TV the 68-foot Pacifica by Sunday night was underway.

The Pacifica’s captain at about 9 a.m. Sunday called to report the vessel was taking on 10 gallons of water per minute.

An HC-130 Hercules from Air Station Barbers Point found the boat 144 miles northeast of Honolulu.

Karman says the vessel was listing to the right but not in an apparent immediate danger.

Moderate northerly winds allowed the plane to drop a pump. The Pacifica crew retrieved and started the pump, allowing the boat to start heading to Honolulu.

The cutter Kittiwake reached the Pacifica at about 5 p.m. to escort it.