A man was taken to a hospital in critical condition yesterday after he and his fishing companion were tossed from their boat just off Kahana Bay.

The men, both in their 50s, were fishing about a quarter-mile offshore about midday when a wave hit their boat and flung the men into the water, fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said.

The boat's motor continued to run, driving the boat in circles and preventing the men from getting back in, Tejada said.

One of the men was wearing an inflatable life vest. He told rescue workers that he was able to inflate the vest and swim ashore.

"There were what appeared to be two approved life vests on the boat," Tejada said. But only one man was wearing a floatation device, he said.

Fire department rescue people responded about 1 p.m. after the man who swam ashore called for help.

The fire department's Air One helicopter found the other man floating in the water. Rescue workers brought him ashore and administered CPR, but could not revive him, Tejada said.

City paramedics took him to Kahuku Hospital in very critical condition.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.