HONOLULU — A family of four missing at sea for six days was rescued by the Coast Guard and Royal New Zealand Air Force 2,300 miles south of the Hawaiian Islands Saturday.
The Coast Guard received a call from the Kiribati Maritime Police Branch Thursday informing them of a missing 13-foot boat with two adults and two children aboard. The Coast Guard Cutter Rush reached the search area Friday and launched its HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter to begin a search.
The New Zealand Air Force located the missing family Saturday approximately 230 miles from Butaritari Atoll, the nearest body of land. They relayed the location to the crew of the Rush who launched their small boat and rescued the family. The family was safely taken aboard the Rush and transported to Butaritari Atoll. Their boat was taken in tow by the Rush.
The family was reported to being dehydrated but having no injuries. The rescue crew gave them food and water.