Man Charged After Stabbing Boat Captain During Hawaii Snorkeling Tour as Tourists Scream in Horror

Passengers aboard a snorkeling tour boat in Hawaii witnessed a terrifying incident after a young man allegedly stabbed the vessel's captain.

The Kansas man was arrested by the Hawaii Police Department on April 17. He has been accused of repeatedly stabbing the boat captain and has been charged with attempted murder.

The man has been identified as Avery Nissen, 21. According to police, Nissen was on a fishing vessel returning from a three-hour snorkeling trip when the attack took place. Passengers were shocked when he suddenly began attacking the boat’s 62-year-old captain with a fillet knife.

Some passengers intervened before police arrived. At 3:21 p.m., after the boat docked, officers responded to Honokōhau Harbor on the Big Island.

On April 17, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney extended Nissen’s charges to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and second-degree assault. He is set to appear in court on April 20. Nissen is being held on a $1.57 million bond, and he will be read his charges in court, where he will have an opportunity to enter a plea.

According to police, the motive for the attack remains unknown, and no theories have been publicly disclosed. Hawaii News Now reported that the boat company, Hawaii Nautical, identified the victim as Stanley Lurbiecki.

Police said the victim suffered a stab wound to the lower abdomen and knife cuts on his head and hands. He has been described as a veteran in the boating industry. Mark Towill, owner and president of Hawaii Nautical, said the victim is now in stable condition.

“Stan is stable. He’s recovering, and he’s a real hero and a fighter. I’m just incredibly grateful that our team is safe and that the situation ended the way it did,” Towill said.

Towill added, “I’ve never heard of anything like this happening in this industry before, and [I’m] just really grateful to all of our team for the way that they reacted - the professionalism that was demonstrated.”

In Hawaii, second-degree attempted murder is a class A felony punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole. Meanwhile, first-degree assault is a Class B felony, which could result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

The charge is applicable when the victim is older than 60, or when the suspect intentionally caused “serious bodily injury.” In Nissen’s case, both conditions apply.