Disabled Vessel Off Big Island.

A Coast Guard Cutter Kiska crew member helps steer the motor vessel Mellow Yellow back to shore Sunday, March 3, 2013, approximately 6 miles off the "Big Island" of Hawaii. Kiska crew members responded to the disabled boat after receiving a report stating the Mellow Yellow suffered a steering casualty. Kiska engineers boarded the Mellow Yellow and effected temporary repairs to assist the crew by making a rudder system out of wood and rope. Kiska crew members remained aboard and escorted the Mellow Yellow back to shore and completed a post search and rescue boarding. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Coast Guard crew members aid disabled vessel off Big Island.

 HONOLULU — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Kiska assisted the crew aboard a disabled vessel approximately 6 miles east of Pohokiki, off the Big Island Sunday, March 3, 2013.

Coast Guard watchstanders in the Sector Honolulu Command Center were notified that the 24-foot Mellow Yellow had lost steering at 7:15 a.m. Sunday. Two people were aboard the vessel.

The Kiska crew arrived to the vessel’s location and transferred engineers to make temporary repairs on the Mellow Yellow’s steering system. Coast Guardsmen made a very basic rudder system using wood and rope. Coast Guard engineers remained aboard the vessel and ensured its safe return to Hilo Harbor, using the makeshift rudder.

As the Coast Guard is America’s maritime first responder, the Coast Guard’s professional workforce and locally based units are always ready to respond. The Coast Guard’s readiness and constant presence on America’s coasts and waterways enable fast, flexible response to assist those in need.

The motor vessel Mellow Yellow, center, is escorted back to Hilo by the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, foreground, Sunday, March 3, 2013, approximately 6 miles off the "Big Island" of Hawaii. Coast Guardsmen aboard Kiska boarded the disabled Mellow Yellow and determined there were issues with the vessel’s steering. Engineers effected temporary repairs to assist the Mellow Yellow crew by making a rudder system out of wood and rope. Kiska crew members remained aboard and escorted the Mellow Yellow back to shore and completed a post search and rescue boarding. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)