U.S. Coast Guard saves 3 fishermen

HONOLULU, July 16 (UPI) -- Three fishermen were rescued from their sinking boat off the Hawaiian coast by U.S. Coast Guard air crews, officials said.

The Coast Guard was alerted to the men's situation about 1 a.m. Wednesday when one of them used his cell phone to call local authorities for help, KITV, Honolulu, reported.

A Coast Guard helicopter and search plane found the fishermen about 12 miles south of Hilo, pulled them from the water and took them to Hilo's airport where they were turned over to emergency medical personnel. They were determined to be in good health.

It wasn't reported what had caused their boat to take on water.