Maui firefighters responded to reports of a boat in distress 25 minutes out from Mala Boat Ramp heading toward Molokai. A fire unit responded by land towards the Kaanapali area and Ladder 3 aboard a rescue boat launched from Mala and headed in the same direction by sea. The U.S. Coast Guard was also dispatched to the area. Rescue Boat 3 was able to make contact with the vessel approximately a mile outside of Kaanapali. Firefighters confirmed that the vessel was taking on water and that a total of 10 people were on board. The Coast Guard was able to transfer some of the passengers to their boat, and the vessel was escorted back to Mala Boat Ramp safely. The people on board were believed to be Molokai residents and it is not yet known what caused the vessel to take on water. There are no injuries to report.