The Honolulu Fire Department was called into action early this evening after receiving a 911 call about a 30-foot boat with 11 people on board that was taking on water at the Kaneohe Sandbar in Kaneohe Bay.

The report came in at 4:53 p.m., with HFD dispatching four units staffed with 13 personnel. The first unit arrived at the Heeia Kea Boat Harbor at 4:58 p.m. to investigate, while other units secured a landing zone nearby in preparation for rescue operations by air, according to a news release.

HFD’s rescue boat arrived at the sandbar at 5:31 p.m., and Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s Waterfront Operations was also on scene to assist. Personnel from both agencies were able to pump most of the water out of the sinking vessel and get the motor operational, the release said.

Five of the 11 peo

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