Coast Guard investigating cruise ship incident

The Coast Guard is investigating an incident that injured two cruise ship crew members Tuesday in Hilo Harbor.

Petty Officer Melissa McKenzie, a Coast Guard spokeswoman in Honolulu, said Wednesday the two injured crew members from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America are in stable condition at Hilo Medical Center.

“One sustained a leg injury; the other sustained a back injury,” she said.

“The incident occurred at approximately 2 p.m. (Tuesday), and our marine safety team out of Kona received word of the incident at approximately 3:20, and they reported on scene to do a preliminary investigation.”

Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman Melissa Soriano said in a Wednesday email the two crew members were performing a routine check of the ship’s rescue boat.

“During the recovery operation of the boat an incident occurred injuring the two officers,” Soriano wrote. She didn’t specify what the incident was, but said NCL is cooperating with the Coast Guard and conducting its own investigation.

Police said Wednesday the call they received for service said the men fell about 30 feet into the water while lowering the boat. The call described the men’s ages as about 30.

The injured men’s names, ages and hometowns have not been released.

Hawaii Department of Transportation spokesman Tim Sakahara said the incident did not affect operations at the Port of Hilo.

The Pride of America left Hilo as scheduled Tuesday night for a daylong port call Wednesday in Kailua-Kona. It’s is expected to arrive in Nawiliwili, Kauai, at 10 a.m. today and depart at 2 p.m. Friday for a scheduled 7 a.m. Saturday arrival in Honolulu.

Tribune-Herald staff writer Colin M. Stewart contributed to this story.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.