All safe as boat catches fire in Kaneohe Bay, boat sinks off Maili

By Star-Advertiser staff

Honolulu Fire Department personnel responded to a pair of boating incidents Saturday.

Around 12:20 p.m., fire rescue personnel were called to Maili Point, where a small boat carrying two men and two boys had sunk.

The party was reportedly participating in a papio fishing tournament when their vessel sank. Boats in the area retrieved the four from the water and returned them to shore. The boat was towed back to Waianae
Boat Harbor.

At 3:30, fire rescue personnel responded to a boat fire near the Kaneohe sandbar, Ahu O Laka.

Five people aboard the 25-foot Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps vessel were able to exit the boat safely and were transported to shore by another boat in the area while firefighters brought the fire under control.

No injuries were reported in either incident.

NARRATIVE FROM MANAGER OF BOAT RENTAL OPERATION INVOLVED IN KANEOHE BAY INCIDENT: 

While trying to start the engine (turning it over) the engine became engulfed in flames.  The flames quickly claimed the fiberglass hull and plastic seats, causing the passengers to enter the water.
Kaneohe