U.S. Coast Guard watchkeepers at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu received a message at 8 a.m. last Tuesday from a relative of the trimaran's master claiming that the vessel, Third Try, had not made contact since Monday. The three sailors aboard tried to circumnavigate the globe nonstop and their last known location was between California and Hawaii.

Watchkeepers also called out for assistance to Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) ships in the region. The crew of nearby Matson vessel Mahimahi, en route from Los Angeles to Honolulu, decided to redirect and sail along the alleged path of the Third Try.

The Hercules aircrew arrived on the scene, finding the Third Try adrift. The aircrew confirmed structural damage to the vessel, and lost their rudder. The sailors had demanded to be removed from the vessel.

The Mahimahi crew arrived on the scene at 3:30 a.m., Wednesday, evacuating the three sailors from the Third Try.

No injuries have been confirmed. The sailors sailed aboard Mahimahi and entered Honolulu.

A notice of navigation hazard has been issued to mariners in respect of the derelict trimaran.

AMVER is a voluntary United States-sponsored monitoring program.  It is a computer-based global ship-reporting network used by search and rescue agencies worldwide to coordinate relief for people in distress at sea. Through AMVER, rescue coordinators may identify participating ships in distress area and redirect the ships or ships best suited to respond.

Maritime Business World