Missing sailing vessel ‘Malulani’ finally arrives in Hawaii

ALAMEDA, Calif.—The missing individual, 60-year-old Noel Rubio, arrived safely in Hawaii with his sailing boat, Malulani, on Saturday.

The vessel is a 32-foot Westsail sloop that departed Long Beach, California, on Dec. 28 en route to Kaneohe, O’ahu, Hawaii, crewed by Rubio with a planned arrival date of Jan. 18.

After receiving notification on Friday, the Coast Guard began efforts to locate Rubio and the vessel, Malulani.

The Coast Guard used all available means to determine the Malulani‘s location, including urgent marine information broadcasts and harbor checks in California, Hawaii, and Mexico. He last made contact via cellphone Dec. 28, from south of Catalina Island, California informing a friend that he was en route to Hawaii. The only means of communication aboard the vessel Malulani is a VHF-FM marine band radio.

“The Coast Guard is greatly appreciative of the expert consult advice on weather and routes provided by experienced trans-Pacific sailors,” said Douglas Samp, a search and rescue mission coordinator in the Rescue Coordination Center Alameda. “Mariners intending to conduct an open ocean passage are highly encouraged to have multiple layers of communication, including a VHF-FM DSC radio, HF DSC radio, satellite communications, and a 406Mhz electronic position indicating radio beacon as the notification of last resort to help SAR authorities locate your position in a time of need.” (USCG)