A series of powerful storms in 2023 and the first part of 2024 contributed to a higher-than-usual number of boat groundings on Maui.

The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) counts a total of 15 groundings, not including approximately 80 boats that were damaged or destroyed in the Lahaina wildfires.

2023 started with the grounding of the super yacht Nakoa just outside the Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District. It took two weeks to free the vessel, which had significant damage and ultimately was scuttled in 800 feet of water off West Maui. The boat’s owners are facing significant penalties.

The have been two recent are two groundings on Maui’s south shore.

Yesterday the DOBOR awarded a $841,820 contract to Sea Engineering, Inc., to salvage the former Navy torpedo boat, Chaparral, which currently rests in sand, next to a seawall in North Kihei.

The division solicited new emergency bids to ensure that a contractor can employ best management practices (BMPs) to guarantee that the impact on natural resources would be significantly decreased.

BMPs to protect both the terrestrial and ocean environment include erecting silk screens to keep dust from impacting the surrounding land and water, and booms surrounding the boat to further protect the marine ecosystem.

The other vessel grounded in Maui is one of Expeditions’ ferry boats, which transports passengers between Lana‘i and Maui. A salvage contract is in place and the contractor expects to pull the boat free Saturday morning. The ferry operator, which has other vessels, says the grounding has not impacted its interisland service.

When boat owners walk away after a grounding or have failed to carry required insurance, DOBOR’s boating special fund picks up the tab.

 

Photo credit: U.S. Coast Guard