Man On Trans-Pacific Voyage In Ocean Rowboat Rescued Off Maui

He was headed from California to China aboard an 18-foot vessel, according to the Coast Guard.
By /
Reading time: 2 minutes.
 (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a Chinese man off Hawaii who was voyaging from California to Asia in an ocean rowboat.

The Coast Guard identified him as Ruihan Yu, a Chinese national who was rescued Tuesday about 35 miles northeast of Maui.

Yu, 32, left California on June 9 and was headed for China and Taiwan when his 18-foot vessel developed communication failures and a damaged rudder, according to a Coast Guard news release.

This photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard shows the rowboat Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, of Ruihn Yu, a Chinese national, who was reportedly conducting a trans-Pacific voyage from California to port calls in China and Taiwan aboard his 18-foot vessel when he suffered communication failures and a damaged rudder. (U.S. Coast Guard via AP)
This photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard shows the rowboat Tuesday of Ruihan Yu, a Chinese national, who was reportedly conducting a trans-Pacific voyage from California to port calls in China and Taiwan aboard his 18-foot vessel when he suffered communication failures and a damaged rudder. AP

Yu’s friend notified the Coast Guard that Yu was in possible distress after receiving a text message from Yu on a two-way satellite communication device, the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Tara Molle said Yu planned to stay on Maui while a friend sends him parts for repairs. He plans to continue to his final destination of Australia, the Coast Guard said.

Last month, two Hawaii women who said they were lost at sea for months were rescued. Inconsistencies cast doubt on their harrowing tale.

About the Author

Top Stories

Former CoreCivic Lobbyist Is Helping To Plan A New Oahu Jail Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Former CoreCivic Lobbyist Is Helping To Plan A New Oahu Jail

Civil Beat: Our Maui Fire Coverage Is Just Beginning Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Civil Beat: Our Maui Fire Coverage Is Just Beginning

Mike Miske’s Attorneys Go On Attack Over FBI Search Warrants Hawaii News Now

Mike Miske’s Attorneys Go On Attack Over FBI Search Warrants

Some Lahaina Families Are Torn Between Distance Learning And Schools Courtesy: DOE/2023

Some Lahaina Families Are Torn Between Distance Learning And Schools

Maui Football In Photos: The Game Beyond The Fires Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Maui Football In Photos: The Game Beyond The Fires

Your 2023 Maui County Council Guide: Everything You Need To Know Marina Riker/Civil Beat/2022

Your 2023 Maui County Council Guide: Everything You Need To Know