Boy, 17, forced to tread water for 12 hours after getting separated from school kayaking team

A 17-year-old boy was forced to tread water for more than 12 hours after getting from his kayaking team.

The kayaker, who was without a life jacket, capsized on a 20ft surf ski on Wednesday south of Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii. The boy had gone missing while kayaking with his fellow students in rough conditions, prompting a huge 12 hour search from the, who released dramatic footage of the rescue.

The Honolulu Fire Department alerted Coast Guard staff at 7.23pm, which saw multiple crews including an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and HC-130 Hercules aeroplane from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point help with the rescue. The Hawaii Airports Division and the US Coast Guard also assisted in the frantic search.

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Noland Keaulana, an off-duty Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard, was also searching for the boy after he learned that he had gone missing. “I know last night, I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t go out there,” said Keaulana at a press conference.

The dad borrowed a boat and began a 100-mile search at 8.30pm. He was able to reach the boy who had been treading water in the ocean while holding onto the kayak. At around 4.20am, the US Coast Guard aircraft spotted the kayaker offshore and marked his location with a flare.

At 5.25 a.m., the off-duty lifeguard transported the boy who was in a serious but stable condition. Emergency Medical Services were able to treat the teen for hypothermia, extreme dehydration, and exhaustion. Luckily, the boy was awake and talking, according to spokesperson Shayne Enright.

“We’re just thrilled to be able to share this good outcome with you,” said Enright. “This is the perfect example of interagency, joint response, where everybody came out, everyone, to do whatever they could to save this boy’s life.”

In a statement, the U.S. Coast Guard said: "Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders were notified by Honolulu Fire Department personnel at 7:27 p.m. Wednesday that a 17-year-old boy had gotten separated from his high school paddling team approximately one-half mile south of Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort.

'The teenager had reportedly capsized on a 20-foot surf ski and was not wearing a life jacket. The good Samaritan, an off-duty lifeguard with the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department, rescued the boy from the water.

"At 5:25 a.m., the off-duty lifeguard transported the 17-year-old to Emergency Medical Services personnel at Ala Wai Harbor, where he was treated for injuries and hypothermia and transported to an area emergency room. He was in serious but stable condition'.