A snorkel cruise off Kona turned violent Thursday afternoon when a 21-year-old visitor allegedly attacked a longtime boat captain with a knife, forcing the catamaran to race back to Honokohau Harbor as stunned passengers and crew tried to stop the bleeding.
Authorities say the captain, identified as 62-year-old Stanley Lurbiecki, suffered a stab wound to his lower abdomen along with multiple cuts to his head and hands during the snorkel tour. Passengers and crew members jumped in to restrain the suspect and give first aid while the Hawaii Nautical vessel headed for shore. Lurbiecki was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where officials said he was in stable condition.
Police arrested 21-year-old Avery Nissen of Overland Park, Kansas, on board the catamaran and later charged him with attempted murder and assault. His bail was set at $1.57 million, and he is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday in Kona.
According to Hawaii News Now, the attack took place as the Hawaii Nautical catamaran was returning to Honokohau, with 911 calls coming in around 3:30 p.m. A dispatch recording posted on Broadcastify captured crews describing a “50-foot sailing white catamaran” with “possibly two patients,” one bleeding from the hand and another from the lower abdomen, as the boat neared the harbor. Police say Nissen allegedly used a filet knife and that passengers helped hold him down while others worked to keep the captain alive.
Captain Praised, Company Highlights Safety
Mark Towill, owner and president of Hawaii Nautical, told Hawaii News Now that Lurbiecki is recovering and credited him with keeping calm under extreme pressure. “Stan is stable, he’s recovering and he’s a real hero and a fighter,” Towill said, adding that he was proud of how the entire crew handled the emergency. Hawaii Nautical, which runs snorkel and sunset tours on several islands, stresses its commitment to passenger and crew safety on its website, Hawaii Nautical.
Charges And Legal Context
Nissen is facing felony counts that Hawai‘i prosecutors treat as among the most serious in state law. An attempted murder charge requires proof that a defendant intended to kill and took a substantial step toward carrying out the killing, not just making a threat. Under Hawaii’s criminal attempt law, penalties for an attempt can in many cases closely mirror those for the completed crime. The statute is outlined on Justia, which details what prosecutors must establish at trial.
How To Help Investigators
Police are asking anyone who was on the tour or who has information about the incident to contact Detective Bradley Llanes at (808) 326-4646, ext. 268, or by email at [email protected]. Authorities are also urging witnesses to hold on to any photos or video from the boat as investigators work to piece together what happened.
